About Learning Disabilities

What Is A Learning Disability?
Learning disabilities are difficulties related to the reception, processing, or expression of information that is not the result of lack of intelligence, past experience, or sensory difficulty. A student with a learning disability has a specific and significant achievement deficiency in the presence of adequate overall intelligence. Learning disabilities affect the ability to either interpret what is seen or heard or to link information from different parts of the brain.  These limitations are manifested as difficulties with spoken and/or written language, coordination, self control, attention, or mathematical reasoning or calculation. Signs of learning disabilities
 
What Should the Instructor Know?
Accommodations for students with learning disabilities will vary according to the student and his/her disability.  Some common accommodations made for individuals with learning disabilities are providing a notetaker or allowing the student to tape record lectures, alternate texts, and accommodations in testing, such as the use of a Franklin speller or calculator, extended time on tests, or allowing the test to be proctored outside of the classroom to avoid normal distractions.  Disability Services will identify for you the accommodations a student in your class is requesting.  You should encourage dialogue with the student to arrange accommodations. Disability Services will facilitate accommodations where possible.  If a separate room is needed for testing, Disability Services can arrange the room and proctor.  Taped versions of textbooks and materials are also coordinated through the DS office. If a student in your class has need of this service, we will request a list of texts used for the course. Your prompt attention to this will facilitate the process of obtaining and/or recording books.  A minimum of three weeks lead time is necessary to provide timely recordings.  Any questions or concerns that you have about the accommodations requested should be directed to the Director of Disability Services.  

What Should the Student Know?
Documentation is required to verify that a student has a learning disability.  This documentation should be brought to the initial appointment with the Director of Disability Services or mailed in advance.  From this documentation, the Director and the student will develop a plan to aid the student's success at Messiah College.  With the student's permission, the Director will notify instructors of the need for accommodations.  The student is also encouraged to communicate his/her needs to the professor as well.

Guidelines for Documentation  

* Disability Services aids students in obtaining alternate texts Providing taped texts can be a long process, so we encourage students to schedule classes as early as permitted and notify Disability Services of classes for which recorded texts/materials will be needed.

 * NCR paper can be requested for volunteer notetakers in class.  The student should work with the professor in obtaining a volunteer notetaker.

*  Testing accommodations should be made with the instructor well in advance.  If the instructor prefers an alternate test site, please contact DS.

*  Tutoring services are provided on campus through the Learning Center in Hoffman 113C. Hours are posted on the door.

*  Writing Workshop is available for students who need help with papers.

*  Assistance in Murray LRC can be arranged through any librarian.

Any further assistance or accommodations needed should be discussed with Keith Drahn, Director of Disability Services, Messiah College, Box 3059, 1 College Avenue, Grantham, PA 17027, Phone: (717)796-5382.  Our offices are located in Hoffman 101 and 102.