A wide variety of students with special needs are included within the
general education population. As a result, music educators now find students
with learning disabilities and other mild behavioral and cognitive deficits among
the general music education population. Teachers may be unprepared to meet
the specific learning styles these students bring to the classroom. With
accommodations and/or modifications, however, students with learning
disabilities and other mild behavioral and cognitive deficits will be able to access
the general music education curriculum.
“A learning disability is a neurological disorder that affects one or more
of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using
spoken or written language” (LDA, 2004). Individuals with learning disabilities
are generally of average or above average intelligence. There is a discrepancy
between the person’s performance and achievement. Learning disabilities are
referred to as “hidden disabilities” (LDA, 2004) because the person is a bright
and intelligent individual. However, they may be unable to demonstrate the
skill level expected from someone of a similar age. Learning disabilities are a
life – long challenge. People with learning disabilities can be successful and
productive individuals by learning strategies to compensate for the
discrepancy.