In Mexico, 1.2 million people work as teachers, according to a recent INEGI study. The proportion is 69.9% women and 30.1% men pursuing education as their vocation.
These figures make us wonder how many of these teachers have chosen to become learning difficulties specialists and for what reason.
A teacher, psychologist, or therapist can develop a professional, academic, and human interest in the population of students with learning problems, leading them to actively participate in guaranteeing these students’ right to education.
In Mexico, the career is also known as special education, inclusive education, or special needs education. In Spain, it is known as therapeutic pedagogy.
Regardless of the official name it receives in each country, education focused on addressing learning difficulties demands specialized professionals equipped with methodological tools for detection, intervention, and support, serving the population of students vulnerable due to their cognitive deficits.
Specialization in Learning Difficulties is an educational component that constantly demands renewal and where there is a shortage of professionals. In this regard, INEGI figures are illustrative. Only 9.9% of Mexican teachers have a master’s degree, and half of the teachers are employed in primary education.
The continuous training of teachers, and especially specialization, is synonymous with educational quality, and therefore, the generalist vision of the teacher is complemented by specialized training that allows for more accurate, updated, and personal attention to the problems that occur during the pedagogical process.
Professionals specialized in learning difficulties work to facilitate the integration of children into classrooms, as well as provide individual support for them to achieve their goals. Generally, the learning difficulties specialist works to overcome language problems, socio-emotional difficulties, and the successful inclusion of children in their environment.
In Mexico, the learning difficulties specialist can work dependently, as most teachers in the country do, for private or public health or educational institutions.
Their profile also supports non-profit educational organizations and foundations, as well as integrating multidisciplinary teams that carry out psychoeducational approaches and interventions for children in vulnerable conditions.
Functions of the Learning Difficulties Specialist
The functions of the learning difficulties specialist are summarized as (Tejada, 2001):
- Formal functions:
- Guidance and counseling
- Personal education
- Attention to diversity
- Teaching support
- Non-formal:
- Counseling for training and employment
- Research for intervention
What are Learning Difficulties?
Learning difficulties is an umbrella concept referring to heterogeneous disorders that hinder the proper functioning of cognitive processes involved in learning (attention, memory, language…).
According to the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (1988) “Learning disabilities is a general term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities (…) Problems in self-regulatory behaviors, social perception, and social interaction may occur with learning disabilities but do not themselves constitute a learning disability. Although learning disabilities may occur concomitantly with other handicapping conditions (e.g., sensory impairment, mental retardation, serious emotional disturbance) or with extrinsic influences (such as cultural differences, insufficient or inappropriate instruction), they are not the result of those conditions or influences.”
Learning difficulties are categorized for research, detection, and intervention into:
- Specific difficulties in reading acquisition
- Specific difficulties in writing acquisition
- Specific difficulties in mathematics acquisition
Instrumental and emotional aspects are also considered, as well as borderline disabilities, low academic performance, and other types of disorders caused by neuropsychological alterations.
Where to Study Specialization in Learning Difficulties in Mexico
The learning difficulties course is offered at the postgraduate level with a moderate range of courses, especially diplomas and specializations. Programs are offered in in-person and online modalities.
In Mexico, there is growing interest from higher education institutions offering online courses in this field; however, some still hold a rehabilitative and medical vision, to the detriment of current approaches to disability, seen as a phenomenon with social dimensions and school as a place for everyone.
ISEP University is among the first options listed by search engines and university directories in Mexico with its Master’s in Learning Interventions. It is followed by Universidad Mesoamericana and other online training centers.
In-person, the Universidad de Desarrollo Empresarial y Pedagógico offers a specialization program in learning difficulties.
Learning Difficulties Intervention Programs at ISEP University
ISEP University’s Master’s in Learning Difficulties Intervention is recognized as one of the best in Spain in the university ranking of El Mundo newspaper.
This program consists of five study blocks and 27 training modules focused on equipping students with technical and personal competencies for effective and responsible professional practice, and providing skills for designing psycho-pedagogical intervention programs that promote the integration of students with special needs.
This is not just any master’s degree, but a third-level educational program of wide reference, recognition, and nearly 120 editions across ISEP University’s various campuses.
The master’s degree holds the Official Validity of Studies Recognition (RVOE) from educational authorities in Mexico and the European Title awarded by ISEP and the University of Vic.
Alongside the international recognition of the qualification, students can opt for a qualification in Master’s in Therapeutic Psychopedagogy if they choose to pursue the Master’s in Special Education alongside the Master’s in Learning Difficulties Intervention.