Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T13:02:55.257Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The change over time of the perceptions of school counsellor candidates related to students with learning disabilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2021

Tahsin Firat*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Education, Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence: Tahsin Firat, Adiyaman University, Faculty of Education, Central Campus, 02100 Adiyaman, Turkey. Email: tahsinfirat02@gmail.com
Get access

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of training on learning disabilities (LD) on school counsellor candidates’ perceptions related to students with LD. The study group was comprised of 51 students in the Counselling and Psychological Guidance Department. The participants responded to an open-ended question: ‘Students with learning disabilities are like … Because …’. A content analysis technique was used in the analysis of the data. Based on the study results, it was determined that before being trained on LD, the majority of the participants considered students with LD as problematic or never progressing. Following the training, a majority of the participants started using metaphors indicating that students with LD may progress and learn.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
© The Author 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
American School Counselor Association (ASCA). (2010). Position Statement: The Professional School Counselor and Students With Special Needs. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/d597c40b-7684-445f-b5ed-713388478486/Position-Statements.pdf.Google Scholar
American School Counselor Association (ASCA). (2003). ASCA National Model: A framework for counseling programs. https://schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/ASCA-National-Model-for-School-Counseling-Programsr.Google Scholar
Aro, T., Eklund, K., Eloranta, A.K., Närhi, V., Korhonen, E., & Ahonen, T. (2019). Associations between childhood learning disabilities and adult-age mental health problems, lack of education, and unemployment. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 52, 7183.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baum, S. (1990). The gifted/learning disabled: A paradox for teachers. From preventing school failure. The Education Digest, 55, 5456.Google Scholar
Baum, S.M., & Owen, S.V. (2004). To be gifted and learning disabled: Strategies for helping bright students with LD, ADHD, and more. Creative Learning Press.Google Scholar
Bell, T.R. (2012). Counselor beliefs and perceived knowledge regarding clients with learning disabilities (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3510996).Google Scholar
Bender, W.N., & Golden, L.B. (1990). Subtypes of students with learning disabilities as derived from cognitive, academic, behavioral, and self-concept measures. Learning Disability Quarterly, 13, 183194.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bender, W.N., Rosenkrans, C.B., & Crane, M.K. (1999). Stress, depression, and suicide among students with learning disabilities: Assessing the risk. Learning Disability Quarterly, 22, 143156.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bildiren, A., & Fırat, T. (2020). Giftedness or disability? Living with paradox. Education, 48, 746760. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2020.1761855.Google Scholar
Buckley, M., & Mahdavi, J.N. (2018). Bringing children from the margins to the page: School counselors supporting students with learning disabilities. Journal of School Counseling, 16, n23. http://www.jsc.montana.edu/articles/v16n23.pdf.Google Scholar
Büttner, G., & Hasselhorn, M. (2011). Learning disabilities: Debates on definitions, causes, subtypes, and responses. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 58, 7587.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Çakıroğlu, O. (2017a). Özel öğrenme güçlüğüne giriş. In Melekoğlu, M.A. & Sak, U. (Eds.), Özel öğrenme güçlüğü ve özel yetenek (pp. 221). Pegem Publishing.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Çakıroğlu, O. (2017b). Öğrenme güçlüğü olan çocuklarin genel özellikleri. In Melekoğlu, M.A. & Çakiroğlu, O. (Eds.), Özel öğrenme güçlüğü olan çocuklar (pp. 4973). Vize Publishing.Google Scholar
Carlson, E.J., Flannery, M.C., & Kral, M.S. (2005). Differences in bully/victim problems between early adolescents with learning disabilities and their non-disabled peers. (ED490374) https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED490374.pdf.Google Scholar
Çimşir, E. (2019). Özel eğitimde psikolojik danışma ve rehberlik dersinin psikolojik danışman adaylarının engelli öğrencilere ilişkin tutumlarına ve hazırlık düzeylerine etkisi [The effectiveness of the counseling and guidance in special education course on counselor candidates’ attitudes toward and preparation levels with regard to students with disabilities]. Elementary Education Online, 18, 10461058.Google Scholar
Cimsir, E., & Carney, J.V. (2017). School counsellor training, attitudes, and perceptions of preparedness to provide services to students with disabilities in inclusive schools in Turkey. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 32, 346361.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cortiella, C., & Horowitz, S.H. (2014). The state of learning disabilities: Facts, trends and emerging issues. National Center for Learning Disabilities, 245.Google Scholar
Council of Higher Education. (2021). Rehberlik ve psikolojik danışmanlık programı bulunan tüm üniversiteler. https://yokatlas.yok.gov.tr/lisans-bolum.php?b=10172.Google Scholar
Dadandı, P.U., Dadandı, İ., Avcı, S., & Şahin, M. (2016). Okul rehber öğretmenlerinin özgül öğrenme güçlüğü olan öğrencilerin psikososyal sorunları ve rehberlik ihtiyaçları hakkındaki görüşleri [School counselors’ thoughts about psychosocial problems and guidance needs of students with learning disabilities]. Journal of Human Sciences, 13, 60386049.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dadandı, P.U., & Şahin, M. (2018). Özgül öğrenme güçlüğü tanısı olan ve normal gelişim gösteren çocukların benlik kavramları, öz-yeterlik inançları ve sosyal becerilerinin karşılaştırılması. Ilkogretim Online, 17, 532545.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Denault, L.E. (2018). Understanding social aggression: Bullying and the student with learning disabilities. In Nicholas, D.Y., Christine, N.M. & Teresa, A.C. (Eds.), Emotions and education: Promoting positive mental health in students with learning disabilities (pp. 1532). Vernon Press.Google Scholar
Desoete, A., Ceulemans, A., De Weerdt, F., & Pieters, S. (2012). Can we predict mathematical learning disabilities from symbolic and non-symbolic comparison tasks in kindergarten? Findings from a longitudinal study. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 82, 6481.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Durodoye, B.A., Combes, B.H., & Bryant, R.M. (2004). Counselor intervention in the post-secondary planning of African American students with learning disabilities. Professional School Counseling, 7, 133140.Google Scholar
Estell, D.B., Jones, M.H., Pearl, R., Van Acker, R., Farmer, T.W., & Rodkin, P.C. (2008). Peer groups, popularity, and social preference: Trajectories of social functioning among students with and without learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41, 514.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Falzon, R., & Camilleri, S. (2010). Dyslexia and the school counsellor: A Maltese case study. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 10, 307315.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fırat, T. (2018). Öğrenme güçlükleri [Learning difficulties]. In Şahbaz, Ü. (Ed.), Özel eğitim ve kaynaştırma [Special education and inclusion] (pp. 288318). Anı Publishing.Google Scholar
Fırat, T. (2020). A multi-way ıntervention to ımprove the social acceptance of a student with learning disabilities. International Journal of Progressive Education, 16, 123136.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fırat, T., & Koçak, D. (2020). Opinions of primary school teachers on determination and referral of students with learning disabilities. Kuramsal Eğitimbilim Dergisi, 13, 277295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fiorini, J.J. (2001). An investigation into the school counselor’s role with students with learning disabilities (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3019110).Google Scholar
Gallegos, J., Langley, A., & Villegas, D. (2012). Anxiety, depression, and coping skills among Mexican school children: A comparison of students with and without learning disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 35, 5461.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Geltner, J.A., & Leibforth, T.N. (2008). Advocacy in the IEP process: Strengths-based school counseling in action. Professional School Counseling, 12, 162165.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gersten, R., Fuchs, L., Williams, J.P., & Baker, S. (2001). Teaching reading comprehension strategies to students with learning disabilities. Review of Educational Research, 71, 279320.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Graham, S., Collins, A.A., & Rigby-Wills, H. (2017). Writing characteristics of students with learning disabilities and typically achieving peers: A meta-analysis. Exceptional Children, 83, 199218.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Graham, S., Harris, K.R., & McKeown, D. (2013). The writing of students with learning disabilities, meta-analysis of self-regulated strategy development writing intervention studies, and future directions: Redux. In Swanson, L., Harris, K.R., & Graham, S. (Eds.), Handbook of learning disabilities (2nd ed., pp. 405438). Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Kavale, K.A., & Forness, S.R. (1996). Social skill deficits and learning disabilities: A meta-analysis. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 29, 226237.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kavale, K.A., & Mostert, P.M. (2004). Social skills interventions for individuals with learning disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 27, 3143.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kortering, L.J., & Christenson, S. (2009). Engaging students in school and learning: There al deal for school completion. Exceptionality, 17, 515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kurz, C.A. (2015). School counselors’ responses to high school students with learning disabilities transitioning to postsecondary education (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/26635.Google Scholar
Lackaye, T., Margalit, M., Ziv, O., & Ziman, T. (2006). Comparisons of self-efficacy, mood, effort, and hope between students with learning disabilities and their non-LD-matched peers. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 21, 111121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McKinney, J.D. (1989). Longitudinal research on the behavioral characteristics of children with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 22, 141150.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McNamara, J.K., Scissons, M., & Gutknecth, N. (2011). A longitudinal study of kindergarten children at risk for reading disabilities: The poor really are getting poorer. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44, 421430.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maddocks, D.L. (2018). The identification of students who are gifted and have a learning disability: A comparison of different diagnostic criteria. Gifted Child Quarterly, 62, 175192.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mammarella, I.C., Ghisi, M., Bomba, M., Bottesi, G., Caviola, S., Broggi, F., & Nacinovich, R. (2016). Anxiety and depression in children with nonverbal learning disabilities, reading disabilities, or typical development. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 49, 130139.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Margari, L., Buttiglione, M., Craig, F., Cristella, A., de Giambattista, C., Matera, E., & Simone, M. (2013). Neuropsychopathological comorbidities in learning disorders. BMC Neurology, 13, 198204.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mazzocco, M.M., & Thompson, R.E. (2005). Kindergarten predictors of math learning disability. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 20, 142155.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Metsala, J.L., Galway, T.M., Ishaik, G., & Barton, V.E. (2017). Emotion knowledge, emotion regulation, and psychosocial adjustment in children with nonverbal learning disabilities. Child Neuropsychology, 23, 609629.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Miles, M.B., & Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis. Sage.Google Scholar
Milsom, A. (2002). Students with disabilities: School counselor involvement and preparation. Professional School Counseling, 5, 331338.Google Scholar
Milsom, A., & Akos, P. (2003). Preparing school counselors to work with students with disabilities. Counselor Education and Supervision, 43, 8695.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Milsom, A., & Hartley, M.T. (2005). Assisting students with learning disabilities transitioning to college: What school counselors should know. Professional School Counseling, 8, 436441.Google Scholar
Ministry of National Education (MoNE). (2012). Özel eğitim hizmetleri yönetmeliği. 31.05.2006 tarih ve 26184 sayılı Resmî Gazete yayınlanan ve 21.7.2012 tarih ve 28360 sayı ile değişiklik yapılan yönetmelik. http://mevzuat.meb.gov.tr/html/26184_0.html.Google Scholar
Ministry of National Education (MoNE). (2017). Rehberlik hizmetleri yönetmeliği. http://orgm.meb.gov.tr/meb_iys_dosyalar/2017_11/10113305_yeni_rehbrlk_yon.pdf.Google Scholar
Murray, C., Goldstein, D.E., Nourse, S., & Edgar, E. (2000). The postsecondary school attendance and completion rates of high school graduates with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 15, 119127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nelson, J.M., & Harwood, H. (2011). Learning disabilities and anxiety: A meta-analysis. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44, 317.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Özmen, R.G. (2008). Öğrenme güçlüğü olan öğrenciler [Students with learning disabilities]. In Diken, İ.H. (Ed.)., Özel gereksinimi olan öğrenciler ve özel eğitim (pp. 333367). Pegem Publishing.Google Scholar
Polat, F. (2001). Changing attitudes of school psychologists towards pupils with special educational needs in Turkey. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 16, 5564.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Quinn, J.M., Wagner, R.K., Petscher, Y., Roberts, G., Menzel, A.J., & Schatschneider, C. (2020). Differential codevelopment of vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension for students with and without learning disabilities. Journal of Educational Psychology, 112, 608. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000382.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reis, S.M., Baum, S.M., & Burke, E. (2014). An operational definition of twice-exceptional learners: Implications and applications. Gifted Child Quarterly, 58, 217230.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reis, S.M., & Colbert, R. (2004). Counseling needs of academically talented students with learning disabilities. Professional School Counseling, 8, 156168.Google Scholar
Romano, D. (2006). The impact of preparation, field experience, and personal awareness on counselors’ attitudes toward providing services to section 504 students with learning disabilities (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of New Orleans.Google Scholar
Romano, D.M., Paradise, L.V., & Green, E.J. (2009). School counsellors’ attitudes towards providing services to students receiving Section 504 classroom accommodations: Implications for school counsellor educators. Journal of School Counseling, 7, 136.Google Scholar
Ruban, L.M. (2005). Identification and assessment of gifted students with learning disabilities. Theory into Practice, 44, 115124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sakiz, H. (2018). Students with learning disabilities within the context of inclusive education: Issues of identification and school management. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 22, 285305.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sakız, H., & Sarıçalı, M. (2019). Paradigmatic challenges in school counselling: Correlates and reflections on practice. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 29, 6981.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sakız, H., Sart, Z.H., Börkan, B., Korkmaz, B., & Babür, N. (2015). Quality of life of children with learning disabilities: A comparison of self-reports and proxy reports. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 30, 114126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sakız, H., Woods, C., Sart, H., Erşahin, Z., Aftab, R., Koç, N., & Sarıçam, H. (2015). The route to ‘inclusive counselling’: Counsellors’ perceptions of disability inclusion in Turkey. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 19, 250269.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schmidt, M., Prah, A., & Čagran, B. (2014). Social skills of Slovenian primary school students with learning disabilities. Educational Studies, 40, 407422.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schwab, S. (2019). Friendship stability among students with and without special educational needs. Educational Studies, 45, 390401.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silverman, L.K. (2009). The two edged sword of compensation: How the gifted cope with learning disabilities. Gifted Education International, 25, 115130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sönmez, N., & Koçyiǧit-Özyiǧit, M. (2020). Özel Eğitimde Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Hizmetleri” dersinin psikolojik danışman adaylarının özel eğitimde öz-yeterlik algılarına etkisi. Ankara Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Fakültesi Özel Egitim Dergisi, 21, 513536.Google Scholar
Tait, M. (2013). Perceptions of school counselors regarding their roles in transition services for students with learning disabilities towards postsecondary education (Doctoral dissertation). Texas Woman’s University.Google Scholar
Thompson, R., & Littrell, J.M. (1998). Brief counseling for students with learning disabilities. Professional School Counseling, 2, 6067.Google Scholar
Thurlow, M.L., Sinclair, M.F., & Johnson, D.R. (2002). Students with disabilities who drop out of school: Implications for policy and practice. NCET Issue Brief, 1, 1–7. University of Minnesota, National Center on Secondary Education and Transition.Google Scholar
Ültanır, E. (2005). Türkiye de psikolojik danışma ve rehberlik (PDR) mesleği ve psikolojik danışman eğitimi. Mersin Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 1, 102111.Google Scholar
U.S. Department of Education. (2017). 39th Annual Report to Congress on the ımplementation of the İndividuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2017. https://www2.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/osep/2017/parts-b-c/index.html.Google Scholar
van Viersen, S., De Bree, E.H., Kalee, L., Kroesbergen, E.H., & De Jong, P.F. (2017). Foreign language reading and spelling in gifted students with dyslexia in secondary education. Reading and Writing, 30, 11731192.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vukman, K.B., Lorger, T., & Schmidt, M. (2018). Perceived self-efficacy and social anxiety changes in high school students with learning disabilities (LD) during first year of secondary vocational education. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 33, 584594.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yin, R.K. (2011). Qualitative research from start to finish. The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Yu, J.W., Buka, S.L., McCormick, M.C., Fitzmaurice, G.M., & Indurkhya, A. (2006). Behavioral problems and the effects of early intervention on eight-year-old children with learning disabilities. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 10, 329338.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yu, G., Zhang, Y., & Yan, R. (2005). Loneliness, peer acceptance, and family functioning of Chinese children with learning disabilities: Characteristics and relationships. Psychology in the Schools, 42, 325331.CrossRefGoogle Scholar