Teaching Strategies for Maltreated Children with Learning Disabilities

Authors

  • Barbara Lowenthal

Abstract

Because of the great amount of child maltreatment within the last decade in America, teachers are likely to have some of the children who are victims of abuse and neglect in the inclusive classes. It is important for educators to be informed about the negative effects of maltreatment on academic competence, which can exacerbate existing learning disabilities. This article describes these effects and also provides instructional strategies that teachers can implement to assist these youngsters to be more successful at school. These strategies include: cooperative learning; peer tutoring; instructional techniques derived from the theories of Multiple Intelligence (Gardner, 1993) and the social influence on learning (Vygotsky, 1978); techniques for the improvement of organization, attention, and memory; adaptations of the school environment and modifications of the curriculum. The role of the teacher, who provides effective instruction, is an important ingredient of school success for maltreated children with learning disabilities.

Issue

Section

Articles