‘Learning disabilities are invisible’: Dutton

Thousands of Islanders have difficulty learning

“We lose a lot of students’ interest in school at the junior high period if they’re not careful with students without a lot of ability. So after-school tutoring just gives a chance for some strengths to be developed in students so they can go back into class and be happier. If they know what they’re doing, they want to do more.” Martin Dutton

Martin Dutton said some students who have trouble understanding math give up and label themselves as lazy or stupid.

Dutton, the executive director of the Learning Disabilities Association of P.E.I., says his organization estimates there are about 20,000 Islanders with learning disabilities. Many of them may not have been diagnosed.

“They’re not (stupid). They just haven’t learned in a way they understand.”

By the time a child turns seven years old, a parent may notice that something isn’t clicking. Their child may not be at the expected level, Dutton said.

Through Grade 1, they may be slipping and the parent may assume they’ll catch up by Grade 2. But by Grade 3, they’re a half grade behind.

A psychoeducational assessment will determine a child’s strengths and weaknesses in many different areas, Dutton said.

“Learning disabilities are invisible. Slippage can happen.”

Later, the student may not be doing as well as their friends and when they get to junior high. They don’t like to see themselves as different, Dutton said.

“The last thing students at that age want, is to be told they’re special in a way they need extra help. They want to be part of a crowd.”

The association encourages Islanders to learn more about its after-school tutoring in math. It’s being offered to students in 15 schools across the province.

“We acknowledge there isn’t one class or teacher that can teach every single student effectively in every single subject.”

Tutors will go to wherever the students and parents are, and make it as easy as possible for them.

Tutors teach students things like how to go to a mall and pay for things by doing the math in their head, not pushing a button.

“We don’t have a lot of that now because we rely very much on calculators and computers,” he said.

“If you can actually condition the brain to understand those practical applications, you’re probably going to have a bit more of a solid foundation for doing math generally.”

Over the years, they’ve worked with a lot of students who get to the point where they convince themselves they can’t do math, Dutton said.

“We lose a lot of students’ interest in school at the junior high period if they’re not careful with students without a lot of ability.

“So after-school tutoring just gives a chance for some strengths to be developed in students so they can go back into class and be happier. If they know what they’re doing, they want to do more.”