The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the educational landscape, particularly for students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD). The study "Distance learning during COVID-19 lockdown: Impact on adolescents with specific learning disorders and their parents" offers valuable insights into how these students and their parents were affected by distance learning (DL) and provides data-driven recommendations for improving online therapy services.
Key Findings and Their Implications
The research identified several critical areas where students with SLD experienced significant stress during the lockdown:
- Social Isolation and Distance Learning: Students with SLD reported high levels of stress due to social isolation and the transition to DL. This stress was exacerbated for those who did not receive appropriate accommodations, such as individualized teaching methods.
- Gender Differences: Girls experienced more stress from online lessons and the use of devices compared to boys, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive approaches in online therapy.
- Parental Stress: There was a strong correlation between the stress levels of students and their parents, emphasizing the need for support systems that address the needs of both parties.
Strategies for Practitioners
Based on these findings, practitioners can implement several strategies to enhance the effectiveness of online therapy for students with SLD:
- Individualized Accommodations: Ensure that students receive the same accommodations during DL as they would in a traditional classroom setting. This includes recording lessons, using visual aids, and providing extra time for tasks.
- Parental Involvement: Encourage and support parental involvement in the learning process. Provide parents with resources and training to help them support their children effectively during DL.
- Gender-Sensitive Approaches: Develop strategies that address the specific stressors experienced by girls, such as offering more interactive and engaging online lessons to reduce device-related stress.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides valuable insights, further research is needed to explore the long-term impacts of DL on students with SLD and their families. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in ongoing research to develop and refine strategies that can better support these students in an online learning environment.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Distance learning during COVID-19 lockdown: Impact on adolescents with specific learning disorders and their parents.
