What Is a Learning Disability? Investigating Students’ Knowledge About Their Own Learning Needs and Supports

• In Event: Centering the Voices of Disabled Learners

Abstract

This research centers on examining the breadth and depth of students’ knowledge about their own learning needs and supports, with a specific focus on students with hidden disabilities. We interviewed 48 students between Grades 4 and 10 to get a sense of how well they knew their learning challenges, what was being done to support them in school, and how well prepared they felt to advocate for themselves. This information was compared to their individual education plan—a document that contains information about their learning needs and supports based on diagnostic testing and information from their educators. This work aims to identify gaps in our current practices of equipping these students with the necessary knowledge and skills to self-advocate.

Authors

• Ian A. Matheson, Queen's University - Kingston

• Sunaira Tejpar, Queen's University - Kingston

• Julia Hale, Queen's University - Kingston