Single-case research design is a useful methodology for evaluating the presence of a functional relation between an intervention and the mathematical performance of students with a learning disability. However, a functional relation cannot be established with threats to internal validity of the design. External validity is impacted if researchers…

We conducted a comprehensive synthesis of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) research that aimed to facilitate the learning of mathematical word problem solving involving elementary and secondary school students with learning disabilities or difficulties in mathematics. We examined a total of 13 studies under the four instructional categories:…

Requirements for reasoning, explaining, and generalizing mathematical concepts increase as students advance through the educational system; hence, improving overall mathematical proficiency is critical. Mathematical proficiency requires students to interpret quantities and their corresponding relationships during problem-solving tasks as well as…

Fluent word reading is hypothesized to facilitate reading comprehension by improving automatic word reading, thus releasing a reader's cognitive resources to focus on meaning. Many students with learning disabilities (LD) struggle to develop reading fluency, which affects reading comprehension. This synthesis extends Chard, Vaughn, and Tyler's…

Research on spelling performance of learning disabled students is reviewed and a case study cited to show that LD students can learn transferrable information about spelling through a procedure incorporating imitation, modeling, and practice. (CL)

The authors emphasize the need for developing educational interventions that encourage generalization in learning disabled students from one set of responses to another. (CL)

The authors review research on techniques to change social behavior, ranging from relatively simple manipulations of antecedent and consequent conditions to complex instructional "packages" involving didactic, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback procedures and examine issues involved in generalization of social skills training as well as ethical…

This article reviews the use of time delay, a nearly errorless instructional procedure, with mildly handicapped students. The procedure is outlined and data collection techniques are specified. Considerations for using time delay with learning disabled students such as programing for maintenance and generalization are discussed. (Author/DB)

Research based instructional procedures to facilitate generalization of learning strategies by remedial students are offered at four levels of generalization: antecedent, concurrent, subsequent, and independent. Within each level, specific procedures mediated by the special teacher, the regular teacher, peer, and/or student are illustrated.…

Four main topics are addressed (sample findings in parentheses): generalization (LD adolescents have trouble generalizing across settings); motivation (goal setting and self-control can be effective); social skills (LD subjects can readily learn social skills); and young adulthood (LD young adults face difficulties coping with daily living and…

This article presents an overview of literature relating to a nonverbal learning disabilities subtype. The article addresses the relationship between nonverbal learning disabilities and socioemotional functioning, generalizability of research outcomes, individual differences, and treatment validity. (Author/JDD)

A review of six articles (1978-present) on vocabulary interventions involving secondary students with learning disabilities found interventions fall into four areas: computer-assisted instruction, fluency-building vocabulary practice activities, mnemonic strategy instruction, and concept enhancement instruction. Overall, positive results were…

Research relevant to improving instruction for learning disabled students with mathematical problem solving deficits is reviewed. Using a cognitive-metacognitive framework, techniques for teaching both specific and comprehensive mathematical problem solving strategies as well as techniques to enhance strategy generalization are presented.…

Three curricular approaches to spelling instruction are discussed: whole word; phonemic; and morphemic. Sameness analysis is used to indicate the theoretical potential of each approach for helping students with learning disabilities to achieve generalization in their spelling, and the influence of generalization upon retention and transfer is…

The authors review literature on conventional and special approaches to arithmetic instruction with emphasis on applying these approaches to the teaching of elementary learning disabled students with disorders in the area of arithmetic. Section I focuses on the instructional context of arithmetic. It is suggested that generalization teaching…