Learning disabilities are very common. Psychology Today estimates that 6.1 million children in the US are affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. According to the International Dyslexia Society, dyslexia affects around 14 percent of school-aged kids. These disorders can present challenges for student learning. ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity can cause students to have difficulty focusing, which can hinder their learning and encrease serchings “do my finance homework”. Phonemic awareness is the ability to recognize individual letters and sound them out when they are spoken, written, or read. Psychology Today reports that 20 percent of Americans who have difficulty with phonemic awareness can struggle to read. Some teachers have turned to video games as a way to address the difficulties that learning disabilities can present. How do video games aid learning disabilities? Traditional Learning Disability Interventions Students with learning disabilities not only affect their academic performance but also their self-esteem and confidence. To manage symptoms, traditional therapy may include pharmacological interventions. These interventions have been proven to reduce learning barriers. Children with ADHD have often prescribed stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin. Nonpharmacological interventions and traditional therapies have been proven to be equally effective in helping children overcome learning disabilities. These are nonpharmacological therapies:
  • Mnemonic devices to assist memorization
  • Illustration of word problems that can be used to aid children using visualization
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy for emotional and behavioral problems related to learning disorders
Some interventions might not be appropriate for all patients because of caregivers’ personal preferences or barriers to access, insurance coverage insufficient, or a shortage of qualified mental health professionals. Video Games – An Alternative Interventional Approach Video games can be used as an alternative or complement to traditional intervention strategies. A recent Lancet study found that students with learning disabilities may benefit from playing video games for 25 minutes per day. Video games have been shown to help students overcome difficulties, according to researchers. Educational video games, for example, have been shown to improve attention in students with learning disabilities. According to an international study published in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the educational video games Boogies Academy and Cuibrain reduce anxiety and improve attention. How video games can help to learn disabilities Video games offer many advantages over interventional strategies that need in-person visits. These include accessibility, engagement and interactivity. Accessibility Accessing digital formats is easier than visiting a doctor in person. Digital therapies are easier to access than in-person visits. Children today are more familiar with digital technology and devices. Video games make it easy to play again and again. Children with learning disabilities can strengthen their skills and knowledge by repeating an activity. Engagement Video games can be more entertaining for children than traditional learning interventions. Video games are a popular learning tool for children with learning disabilities. Because of the fun factor, children are more likely to practice new skills on a gaming device than they are with other  learning tools. Video games, which are digital tools that create interactive and realistic environments for children with learning disabilities, can be used to help them. Video games encourage cognitive processes by capturing children’s interest through engaging activities they enjoy. Interactivity Interactivity is another advantage of games for learners with learning disabilities. Many online games allow educators, mental health professionals, and other people to monitor and adjust a child’s progress, such as adjusting goals. Online multiplayer games encourage social behavior, competition and motivation. Video Game Therapy Tools: Examples
  • The videogame AKL-T01, an investigational digital therapy, is designed to improve attention and cognitive control symptoms. The high-end experience of a videogame gives students the opportunity to be immersed in music, storytelling, reward cycles, and other elements that keep them entertained.
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In a randomized study, more than 300 children with ADHD aged 8-12 were removed from their medication to evaluate the effectiveness of AKL-01 without pharmacological intervention. The study results suggest that this digital therapeutic could help improve ADHD students’ attention.
  • Fast ForWord, a video-training program for students with dyslexia, is available. A study on Fast ForWord was published by the American Psychological Association. The video training program targets “attention and processing cognitive and reading skills” with “highly personalized cross-training.”
An interactive game, for example, gives students points for identifying the sounds of similar-sounding letters. For example, distinguishing “ba” from “pa” is one example. Other games are designed to help students improve their grammar and brain processing speed. These digital therapeutic programs showed significant improvements in the effectiveness of treatments, decreasing treatment time from years to just weeks. Transform Society through Equitable Education The role of technology has been crucial in the transformation of education and opening up special education opportunities. American University’s School of Education Online offers a degree that will allow educators to use technology to teach children with learning disabilities. American’s Master in Arts in Teaching and Master in Education Policy and Leader prepare teachers and leaders for the transformation of special education. Education Leadership, Education Program Implementation and Teaching Science in Elementary Schools are some of the courses that students will learn to use to make a difference in the lives and futures of children with learning disabilities.
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