Meeting Special Needs

This white paper focuses on understanding and addressing cognitive disabilities that interfere with learning, such as working memory, processing speed, fluid reasoning, and language processing. It highlights the limitations of labeling students based on their disabilities and emphasizes identifying barriers to learning to improve teaching outcomes. Strategies for supporting students include using visuals, graphic organizers, structured templates, reducing memory load, slowing instruction pace, and teaching problem-solving methods. For language processing issues, both receptive and expressive, the paper suggests slowing speech, simplifying instruction, and providing vocabulary supports like word walls and word banks. Teachers are encouraged to plan lessons by analyzing potential struggles and modifying tasks to reduce barriers, ensuring students achieve their highest potential.