Applying DS03VS to the classroom

There are ways to find out if a student has a disability without actually asking them. Certain questions will help you get a better understanding on how each student learns, what could be stopping them from achieving their goals, and will also give a student the option to disclose a learning disability to you in confidence. Asking questions privately during orientation or while going over their learning plan can help teachers and assistants get a better feel for how our students may excel in class, how we can help them achieve their goals, and how to make their time with us easier. With the following questions, a student might be inclined to self-disclose a learning disability:

“What are your strengths?”

“What areas would you like to improve?”

These questions may help us understand what our student’s strengths and weaknesses may be.

“Describe your previous high school program?”

“Did they provide assistance or help to achieve your goals?”

These questions may help us get more information about assistance that was provided to a student previously.

“Do you have any questions or concerns entering this program today?”

Asking this question may ultimately provide information about a student and disclose a learning disability, disorder, disease, or physical disability that may hinder the student’s ability to learn.