dr. maggie mamen psychologist pd presentation ocdsb february 2013 understanding and supporting...

Dr. Maggie Mamen Psychologist

PD presentation OCDSBFebruary 2013

UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH NONVERBAL LEARNING DISABILITIES

UnderstandinUnderstandingg

PredictionPrediction

ManagementManagement

DIAGNOSIS OF LEARNING DISABILITIES

Thinking/reasoning skills at least average

Measurable learning impairmentsOr grade-appropriate but with ++ help

Deficits in psychological processes related to learning impairmentsLanguage/auditory processing deficitsNonverbal difficulties; pattern recognitionMemory/attention problemsExecutive functioning

Life-long - affect academics, workplace, relationships …

ISSUES SPECIFIC TO NLD

1. Language strengths and weaknesses

2. Pattern recognition

3. Ability to visualize

LANGUAGE STRENGTHS

vocabulary acquisition of factual

information listening memory

immediate, short- and long-term verbal reasoning

abstract, applied rule-based rote learning

LANGUAGE WEAKNESSES

“concrete” language/face value humour, sarcasm, irony, analogies …

pragmatic language conversational skills appropriate tone, vocabulary when enough is enough

nonverbal communication tone, gestures, body language, facial expressions …

PATTERN RECOGNITION

major function of the central nervous system

primal need for survival, safety

auditory/verbal visual/spatial fine/gross motor behavioural/social patterns

VISUAL/SPATIAL PATTERNS

ability to process simultaneous information

facial recognition, attachment, socialization

recognition of danger …mobility, directionalitybody language, gesture, facial

expressionsprediction of emotion, reactionpersonal space, social distancesense of time, quantity, speed

GROSS/FINE MOTOR PATTERNSbalance, coordinationself in space, orientation,

directionality“body memories”sports …

individual versus teamgame “patterns”

dexterity, handwritingrelationship to visual system,

memory

VISUALIZATION

Pastshort- and long-term visual memory,

“mind’s eye,” learning from past experience

Presentcreating pictures in the mind to accompany

words, back-up for auditory memory

Futureforeseeing , predicting situations,

imagining

?

PREDICTABLE ACADEMIC PROBLEMS

Math and math-based subjects– concepts, relationships among numbers,

time, measurement, geometry, word problems …

Language-based subjects– nuance, between-the-lines, “voice,” intent,

humour, irony, inference, character issues, imagination …

Charts, maps, graphs …Projects/tests

– “shape,” time management, extracting relevant information, paraphrasing, when enough is enough, keyboarding/software skills

TEACHING ESSENTIALS

THE FOUR Rs

Rule-basedRepetitionRote Routines

MORE RULES OF THUMB

PROVIDE “pictures”BRIDGE verbal/nonverbalSMART goals

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely

SUPPORT for organizational skillsnot innate, recognizing personality issues …

SIMPLE choices, consistent follow-through

TRANSITION to independent learningdo, direct, teach, encourage, supervise,

delegate

CONTACT INFORMATIONDr. Maggie Mamen

Centrepointe Professional Serviceswww.centrepointepros.com98 Centrepointe Drive mmamen@rogers.comNepean, ON Telephone: (613) 228-1174 x

28K2G 6B1 Fax: (613) 228-2756

Publications:Understanding Nonverbal Learning Disabilities:A Common-sense Guide for Parents and Professionals; Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2007Available as e-book, on Amazon, or from above addressThe Pampered Child Syndrome; Creative Bound, 2004; Jessica Kingsley 2006Available as e-book, on Amazon, or from above addressWho’s In Charge? and Laughter, Love & LimitsCreative Bound, 1997 and 1998Available as e-books onlyParentPower! Lost and FoundDVD, available from above address only