IradianBy: Gianna Hayner

Background

Iradian is an eighth grade hispanic female, who has a learning disability. The subject she struggles most with is reading- she is currently reading at a third grade reading level. Iradian comes from a single-parent, lower income household. She changed schools this year and is struggling to make new friends. She has a younger brother and her mother understands English, but speaks primarily Spanish in the household.

Language

Iradian does quite well speaking English in social situations, but struggles with the academic language.

Will mix up her spanish and english words.

Reading and Writing

She confuses b, d, q, and p in both reading and writing; as a result will misspell words frequently.

Has little motivation to improve her language skills.

Is pulled out during these classes and goes to the resource room to work in small groups.

Emotional/Behavioral

Iradian is both enthusiastic and active in her math, science, and social studies classes.

But when she had her reading and writing classes she will purposely act rude so she is sent to the principal’s office or pretend she’s sick so she can avoid participating in the classes.

Seems depressed at times about being at a new school and will talk about her old school and friends from there with great enthusiasm.

Solutions

CO-Writer: to help with her spelling errors when writing.

Kurzweil 3000: text to speech AT to assist her in both reading and writing.

Start to Finish Books by Don Johnston: to help her reading skills as well as gaining confidence.