Basic Literacy Related Activities and difficulties with Managing Anxiety/Stress
Remember, disability is a highly individualised experience. People with the same disability may have very different capabilities and/or needs, so it is always best to discuss any adaptations to practice, the environment or equipment directly with the disabled person themselves rather than making assumptions about what adjustments may be suitable.
Anxiety and stress are fundamental human emotions. Some suggest that they are only noticeable when they occur in excess; however, many people adapt to very high levels of anxiety and stress.
Anxiety is normal and can be helpful in stressful situations. The burst of adrenaline and nerve impulses in response to stressful situations can help to prepare for fight or flight. However, anxiety is considered to be abnormal if it:
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is out of proportion to the stressful situation;
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persists when a stressful situation has gone, or the stress is minor;
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appears for no apparent reason when there is no stressful situation.
Different students may become anxious about different aspects of literacy related activities; for example, some may hate to read out loud in front of others, whilst others may become upset if they have to share their written work that may include lots of spelling errors, or shows poor handwriting. Many dyslexic students lack confidence and experience difficulties in this area, and those who are pre-lingually Deaf may also have similar difficulties as their first language will be sign language.
The teacher/trainer needs to be aware of those people in their group who might, for reasons relating to their impairment, become overly stressed. Repeated failure can lead to students feeling increasingly anxious and stressed which further exacerbates the problem, so the teacher needs to ensure that they provide work pitched at the right level and which gives students opportunities to achieve confidence-building success.
