UNITE SpLD 2018

CASE MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION – SUPPORTING CHALLENGING LEARNERS

HANI ZOHRA MUHAMAD
Educational Advisor
Dyslexia Association of Singapore

SUJATHA NAIR
Assistant Director (QA) | Main Literacy Programme
Dyslexia Association of Singapore

Learning difficulties may arise from learning disorders such as dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific language impairment (SLI), dyspraxia, dysgraphia, sensory processing, auditory processing and many others. In addition, emotional and behavioural issues can also lead to barriers to learning. The situation can be made worse if a student diagnosed with any learning disorder displays emotional and behavioural issues. In an increasingly complex world, teachers have to be aware of which diagnosis is impacting more on the learning difficulties of students as this would suggest on how the learning needs are to be met and how a class with such students can be managed efficiently.

Teachers teaching a class of various profiles of learners would find classroom management demanding as behavioural challenges surface. It is well-documented that a teacher will not be able to teach efficiently if he/she has to handle emotional and behavioural issues of students. At the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS), Educational Therapists (EdTs) with students who display challenging literacy and behavioural needs are supported by a group of Educational Advisors (EAs). These students are observed for their learning needs and strategies are implemented to mitigate their difficulties. Action plans and goals are set for the semester as a form of progress monitoring towards specific achievement. Case management discussions when done right, result in the most satisfying and comprehensive support for students and teachers, whose lives we aim to enrich and empower. With the benefit of a multidisciplinary team and their varied perspectives, we can plan, coordinate and review the care of our students.