Special Needs of Children with Learning Difficulties

This article proposes an active modification approach to the phenomenon of learning difficulties and retarded performance. The major need for the child with learning difficulties is to achieve structural cognitive modifiability based on mediated learning experiences and effective cognitive functions. The second central need for the learner who has difficulties is to be assessed by dynamic, as opposed to psychometric, assessment techniques so that his difficulties in cognitive functions and mediated learning may be pinpointed. The determinants of difficulties are those pointed out and turned into targets of focused attack. The third central need is to shape an integrated intervention programme consisting of three major areas: (1) Instrumental Enrichment: an intervention programme for cognitive modifiability guided by Mediated Learning Experience; (2) appropriate teaching methods and curricula designed to respond to the particular needs of the child; (3) an environment which creates the need for structural change. Integrating these three areas and building them into a simultaneously functioning integral system ensures that the needs of the student with learning difficulties will be met.