Links and Resources
Here are some links and resources that cover learning difficulties and challenges, as well as neurological disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Podcasts
# 80 Understanding Learning Disabilities: Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota (Part 1)
Cindy Croft and Priscilla Weigel of the Center for Inclusive Child Care welcomed special guests Martha Moriarty and Mary Beth Kelley from the Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota. This podcast series begins with an overview of services that this organization provides to children and adults of all ages in Minnesota.
# 81 Understanding Learning Disabilities: An Overview of Learning Disabilities and Diagnosis (Part 2)
Cindy Croft and Priscilla Weigel welcomed guests Martha Moriarty and Mary Beth Kelley from the Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota for further discussion on what a learning disability may look like in young children. We will also discuss what the road to diagnosis can look like for families.
# 82 Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Part 3)
Mary Beth Kelley and Martha Moriarty share common red flags for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and who should make the diagnosis. Cindy Croft and Priscilla Weigel facilitate the conversation with their guests and discuss common misconceptions between a learning disability and ADHD. ADHD as a disorder is defined and the process of a diagnosis is covered based on the criteria in the DSM-V.
# 83 Understanding Learning Disabilities: Inclusion Strategies for Meeting Learning Needs
Cindy Croft and Priscilla Weigel wrap up this four part podcast series with Martha Moriarty and Mary Beth Kelley of the Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota by discussing useful inclusion strategies for children who may have behavioral characteristics of ADHD or learning disabilities. Mary Beth shares many of the ways a setting can be adapted to meet the learning needs of all children and especially support those who struggle with language or attention.
*To find these and other podcasts go to http://www.inclusivechildcare.org/podcast.cfm
Educational Resources
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.
Communicating with Your Child’s School Through Letter Writing
This Parent’s Guide will help you in writing to the professionals involved in your child’s special education.
Identify what your child is good at and where your child needs more help as it relates to Executive Functioning skills.
Resource Organizations in Minnesota
Scholarships and Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
Read to find a list of general scholarships for students with disabilities, as well as those specifically aimed towards students with learning disabilities, students with hearing or visual impairments, students with psychological disabilities, students with mobility impairments, and more.
Groves Academy
Groves is an independent day school specifically serving children who have learning disabilities or attention disorders in St. Louis Park, MN.
International Dyslexia Association – Upper Midwest Branch
IDA-UMB is the state affiliate of International Dyslexia Association. IDA-UMB supports individuals with dyslexia and related language-based learning disorders, their families, educators, and the larger community.
Minnesota Department of Education
The mission of the Minnesota Department of Education is to improve educational achievement by establishing clear standards, measuring performance, assisting educators and increasing opportunities for lifelong learning.
Minnesota Literacy Council
The mission of the Minnesota Literacy Council is to share the power of learning through education, community building and advocacy. They can help you find adult basic education classes or GED classes if you are an adult learner needing help to read or gain your GED.
Minnesota Star Program
The mission of the Minnesota Star Program is to help all Minnesotans with disabilities gain access to and acquire the assistive technology they need to live, learn, work and play. Check out their assistive technology resource page for school and work and assistive technology for education.
PACER Center
The mission of PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.
National Resources
Association on Higher Education and Disability
AHEAD is the premiere professional association committed to full participation of persons with disabilities in postsecondary education, providing training programs, workshops, conferences, and publications.
Bestcolleges.com
College resources for students with disabilities.
LD OnLine
LD OnLine seeks to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate and up-to-date information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD.
GED Prep Info
The tests of General Education Development, also called the GED. Used to measure the academic knowledge acquired by persons who have not completed a high school curriculum.
HEATH Resource Center
National clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Serves as an information exchange resource for educational support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, and opportunities at American campuses, vocational-technical schools, and other postsecondary training entities.
International Dyslexia Association
IDA is an international scientific and educational association concerned with the widespread problem of the specific language disability of developmental dyslexia. Local and state chapters serve as literacy resources for dyslexic adults and those who teach or advise them.
Learning Disabilities Association of America
LDAA (formerly ACLD) is a non-profit volunteer advocacy organization that provides information and referral for individuals with learning disabilities, their families and the professionals who work with them.
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
NCLD works to ensure that the nation’s 15 million children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities have every opportunity to succeed in school, work, and life.
U.S. Department of Education, Division of Adult Education and Literacy
DAEL promotes programs that help American adults get the basic skills they need to be productive workers, family members, and citizens.
National Center for Family Literacy
NCFL is credited with pioneering – and continuously improving – various family literacy models and approaches that improve the lives of our nation’s most at-risk children and families.
Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education
A guidebook for high school educators to help students access disability services in college.
Understood.org
Understood is an innovative digital resource created by 15 nonprofit organizations to help parents of children with learning and attention issues.
Books about Learning Disabilities
Justice For All
by Karen Norlander
International Dyslexia Society (1998)
Living with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs: A Book for Sibs
by Donald J. Meyer and Patricia Vadasy
University of Washington Press (1996)
A Mind at a Time
by Mel Levine
Simon & Schuster (2003)
Negotiating the Special Education Maze: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
by Deidre Hayden, Cherie Takemoto, Winifred Anderson, and Stephen Chitwood
Woodbine House (1997)
Overcoming Dyslexia
by Sally Shaywitz
Knopf (2003)
The Survival Guide for Kids With LD: Learning Differences
by Rhoda Woods Cummings, Gary L. Fisher, and Pamela Espeland
Free Spirit Publishing (2002)
Uncommon Fathers: Reflections on Raising a Child with a Disability
by Donald J. Meyer
Woodbine House (1995)
Views from Our Shoes: Growing Up with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs
by Donald J. Meyer
Woodbine House (1997)
Movies about Learning Disabilities
Journey into Dyslexia
A film by Alan and Susan Raymond
HBO Documentary Films