We review the evolution of the conceptualisation of dyslexia and along with it the current, 21st century definition of dyslexia. Our starting point is the seminal report by Pringle Morgan in 1896, followed by early 20th century reports by Hinshelwood, and continuing with concepts of brain injury and minimal brain dysfunctions then to the emergence…

Is it necessary to posit separate, explicit distinctions between representations in order to account for dissociations between consonant and vowel processing? We argue that a cognitive model of speech production based on cumulative lower-level properties is not only sufficient but more parsimonious in accounting for aphasic and dysgraphic patient…

An interview with a professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department at the University of Arkansas focuses on evolution of the field of learning disabilities (LD), including early controversy over the term minimal brain dysfunction (MBD). S. Clements cites a need for adult education centers for postsecondary LD/MBD persons. (CL)

Focuses on how learning works. Discusses three major components related to processing information--sensory and perceptual systems, integration of information, and output of information--and developmental and environmental factors affecting brain information in each of these areas. Concludes with discussion of biological bases for cognitive and…

It was concluded that computed axial tomography of the brain is not a necessary screening procedure in the evaluation of the child with minimal brain dysfunction or learning disabilities unless there is evidence of a focal neurologic deficit. (Author)

The study was designed to determine not only the comparability of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and the WISC-Revised (WISC-R) with 40 minimal brain dysfunction children (6-10 years old), but also to determine whether well-established, clinically useful configurations emerge in the WISC-R as they do in the WISC. (Author/SBH)

The study examined the prevalence and characteristics of hyperactive behaviors in a sample of 64 learning disabled and 12 minimal brain-damaged children (mean age 81 months). Ss were evaluated by their teachers on 11 categories of behavior. (Author/PHR)

This article provides a brief overview of the various areas of research that have served to clarify the condition of dyslexia. Using topics and content appearing in A. L. Benton and D. Pearl's (1978) text, Dyslexia: An Appraisal of Current Knowledge, as the point of departure, evolution of the definitions of dyslexia is traced to the current and…

Presented in this paper are findings from research and clinical work conducted over the past seven years that support the following conclusions: "Labels are Useless," which discusses the research in relation to using labels to identify children and concludes that the issue is not the accuracy of the labels--a label is as accurate as its definition…

Investigation of the language-spatial lateralization of 76 intermediate grade right-handed regular education students found that "good" students had normal left hemisphere language and right hemisphere spatial lateralization but "poor" students had nonnormal lateralization. Academic problems and behavior problems were correlated with nonnormal…

The article discusses neuropsychological and treatment aspects of brain behavior disorders in children from the standpoint of terms such as minimal brain dysfunction, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, and hyperkinetic syndrome. (Author/DLS)

Three conditions of behavioral disturbances and impaired school performance (learning disability, attentional disorder, and childhood major depression) are suggested as being associated with dysfunction of the right cerebral hemisphere. (Author/PN)

This article uses a self-organizing systems (SOS) framework to explain the complexity of learning disabilities (LD) and suggest that traditional classification schema may be inadequate. It explains principles of self-organizing systems and reviews research concerning reading and math disabilities and the roles of language, attention, working…

The Conners Rating Scale was used to identify psychoeducational, neuropsychological, and sociobehavioral variables in attempting to define subtypes within a population of 95 children (mean age 10.6 years) with learning disabilities (LD) or documented brain damage. Results supported the sociobehavioral component in LD subtyping and parallels…

It is suggested that the pharmacist can provide a vital information link between parents, teachers, and the family physician in the management and treatment of children with learning disabilities. A course is outlined that integrates a clinical clerkship in the field into the pharmacy curriculum. (MSE)