Online Courses for Teachers

Structured Interventions for Specific Learning Disabilities

(Grades K-5) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 159T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC42639

Course Description

Do you need solid strategies to help you address the unique challenges faced by students with specific learning disabilities (SLD)? This online course for teachers of grades K-5 begins with an in-depth overview of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, as well as additional underlying conditions that are often seen among this student population, including executive function deficits, processing disorders, and specific language impairment. As they progress through the course, teachers will learn how to design structured interventions to help students with SLD become successful in the content areas. Teachers will learn about the science of reading — what it is (including an in-depth examination of Scarborough’s Reading Rope), the data behind it, and how Structured Literacy can be harnessed to turn struggling readers into skilled readers. Teachers will learn about language-based learning disabilities and how to design structured language interventions to improve students’ written and oral language skills. Teachers will learn how to leverage the science of math as they guide their students to develop the five skills of math proficiency while managing math anxiety. Executive function deficits are discussed in detail, as these weaknesses are almost always seen in the learning profiles of students with SLD. Teachers will also explore a variety of supports for students with auditory and visual processing disorders, including assistive technology tools and classroom accommodations. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will have gained valuable insight into specific learning disabilities, and they will feel more confident designing structured interventions as they guide their students to greater success in the content areas. This online professional development course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI professional development course, visit our credit page.

Need help? Allison Wynne, PDI Program Coordinator, is ready to assist.