Dear Jean,
My secondary school (Grades 7-12) has LD students. I am wondering if the mea=
sures you use with adult students could be adapted to help here. Could I get=
 a copy of the 13 Interview questions and also of the handouts you use to he=
lp students understand more of the learning process?
Thanks,
Jennifer Clancy

________________________________

From: learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Gassman, Jean
Sent: Fri 13/04/2007 3:08 AM
To: The Learning Disabilities Discussion List
Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1058] Re: LD Specialist in Washington



Hi,

Since my colleagues have written, I am inspired to also share what a HUGE di=
fference we have made in providing services to students.  I work for the Com=
munity Colleges of Spokane, ABE division.  We have approximately 450 student=
s a quarter enrolled in the classes at the sites I serve.  Last quarter, I m=
et with 116 students.  I use the same process:

--Screen using the 13 questions.

--Interview 

--Write a summary of what the student reported

--Make recommendations which include strategies

 

After the meeting with the student I usually request their records if they w=
ere in special education classes.  When those records come, I go over them w=
ith the student.  When they have an understanding of the process of their pl=
acement in special education classes, it helps them.  Most students I work w=
ith feel they were placed in special education classes because they were stu=
pid and something was wrong with them.  When we start exploring what a perso=
n needs to be able to learn and how learning takes place, they do MUCH bette=
r in the classroom.  One of my most used handouts describes the brain and ho=
w long term memory is influenced by emotions.  

 

The services and strategies that are recommended are as varied as the studen=
ts.  I may refer them to our Disabilities Support Service person who has a w=
onderful background in mental health counseling.  He provides information ab=
out stress management and how to stay in school.  He also provides for the n=
umerous other services a student may need, such as audio tapes, a reader, or=
 chairs.  We have an employment counselor that is also available. We have an=
 assistant who works with students on the Kursweil or speed reading program.=
  I may tutor in math or writing.   The strategies may be handouts on the br=
ain, drinking water, food for the brain, stress management, memory strategie=
s or thinking strategies.  Additional tests may be used or other referrals m=
ade.  

 

Another most important part of my job is to help students apply for accommod=
ations when necessary.  I also meet with students who are not making progres=
s.  Because I have an office where students can come and visit, it is a grea=
t benefit to the students and teachers as well.  

 

I go to a local correction center one day a week.  There the services of a l=
earning disabilities specialist are very needed.  Most of the people who are=
 referred to me have had years of failure related to education.  Once they s=
tart to look at the pieces that are parts of the learning puzzle, they reali=
ze that they are capable.  I have seen huge changes in attitude and in perfo=
rmance.  

 

The training we received as part of the Learning Disabilities Quality Initia=
tive was the key to our success.  The system that we use is a working model=
 so it is getting better all of the time.  We had excellent leadership by De=
bbie Reck and Candyce Rennegarbe.  I am very grateful to be a part of someth=
ing that is life changing.  

 

Jean Gassman 

________________________________

From: learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:learningdisabilities-bou=
nces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Smith, Jimmie
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:13 AM
To: LearningDisabilities at nifl.gov
Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1050] LD Specialist in Washington

 

Hi,

 

I'm Jimmie and I am the Learning Disabilities Specialist at Renton Technical=
 College.  Since Candyce and Judy have both mentioned Renton and the UDL pro=
ject, I thought it was time to speak up.  I feel very fortunate to be a part=
 of the team at Renton Tech.  As the LD Specialist, I screen students who ar=
e referred to me using the 13 questions; I then do an interview which includ=
es pretty much a life history.  If based on this information, it appears lik=
ely that there is a learning disability; I administer the Woodcock Johnson T=
est of Achievement III and the WAIS III for cognitive ability.  Once this is=
 done, I write up a full report of the findings based on the complete assess=
ment.  We have a psychologist that I work with and when my report is complet=
e, I send it to him to review and to sign.  This process works great.  When=
 the report is signed, I go over it with the student and give the student a=
 copy.  With the student's permission, our UDL Project Manager works with th=
e instructor, along with me to implement the strategies and accommodations t=
hat have been recommended.  If testing is not done, but only the screening a=
nd interview are done, strategies are still recommended to the student and t=
he instructor.  Because of the UDL grant we are able to provide these servic=
es to our students free of charge.  We are also able to help all students by=
 implementing strategies in classrooms that are beneficial to everyone.  

 

I do not work with just Basic Studies students, but with all students at our=
 school.  There are many students in programs who have been struggling throu=
gh school most of their lives and have never understood why.  With the proce=
ss we have in place at Renton, we are able to identify and help these studen=
ts.  Sometimes the strategies are very simple, but make a huge difference in=
 the success of the student.    

 

My job also includes requesting accommodations for GED students who qualify.=
  Many times these students do not have the required documentation for recei=
ving accommodations.  If the need is because of learning difficulties, I am=
 able to use the process above to document the need for accommodations and t=
hen request the approval from the state.  

 

I love my job because I love seeing students succeed!!  My school, Renton Te=
chnical College has fully embraced the need to offer services that will bene=
fit all students.  That is what the Universal Design for Learning grant is a=
ll about!  

 

 

Jimmie Smith, M.Ed.

 

Counselor/LD Specialist

Student Success Center

Renton Technical College 

425-235-2352  ext.5717

 


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