The following behaviors may indicate the possibility of a learning disability if observed over a considerable period of time. It is important to note that many of these observed learning characteristics and behaviors result from problems that the individual experiences in the areas of visual discrimination and visual memory , as well as auditory discrimination and auditory memory . Visual discrimination refers to the learner's ability to detect differences in forms, letters, and words. In both instances, the central nervous system is not processing symbols correctly. Auditory discrimination involves the ability to recognize the differences between sounds.
Auditory memory refers to the learner's ability to store and recall what has been heard.
The result of an auditory deficit is that the individual fails to hear vowel or soft consonant sounds in spoken words. Other Means of Information-Gathering Samples of the learner's work and observations of the individual's learning characteristics and behaviors can be recorded on an observation checklist . The research group found that careful observation was so valuable to the assessment process that it recommended training to sharpen the practitioner's observation skills. After careful observation, and using a checklist or other documentation, we were able to talk with students about how they learn, the strategies they use, and their preferences, in a much more focused and productive manner. Obviously, the literacy practitioner is in a position to make valuable input into the assessment process.