In this interview, a special educator and sports writer talks about the role that baseball can play in bringing young people with and without learning disabilities together. He exemplifies how a game can provide extensive opportunities for social interactions and establishes why playing baseball is more suitable for teaching social skills to…

This paper presents the position that inclusion is limited; inclusion does not go far enough. The inclusive classroom has been assessed to be of benefit both to the teacher and student. There are, however, limits set on inclusion. In most classrooms only children with learning disability are included omitting those with severe disabilities,…

Writing processes and writing skills are highly compatible, but only if "writing skills" are defined as genuinely helpful learning strategies rather than prescriptive techniques or isolated forms and rules. Increased skill is a product of meaningful practice, not prescriptive instructions or isolated drills. In the present context, the…

Test-taking skills should be part of learning-disabled students' instruction. Student performance on previous tests should be analyzed to determine lack of information, carelessness, misinterpretation, material not studied, or incorrect reading. Notetaking techniques, language problems, and special problems presented by essay tests and math tests…

The Gates Chili Central School District (Rochester, NY) special education program has made a commitment to teach self-advocacy skills to its students with learning disabilities. The middle school program focuses on awareness of one's disability and test modifications, and the high school program concentrates on adult independence skills. (JDD)

Discusses techniques school counselors can use in identifying high school students with learning disabilities and presents the counselors' role in helping students develop time management skills. Six elements of scheduling are presented. A learning disability checklist is included. (BL)

Identifies salient characteristics of learning disabilities, how learning disabilities affect individuals in social relationships, and how groups can be used to effectively facilitate individual growth. This is achieved due to therapeutic factors such as universality, instillation of hope, altruistic information sharing, and group interaction.…

Reading and writing assessment which focuses on fragmented, isolated skills provides little information about how children actually read and write. An holistic alternative, the systematic observation of children's reading and writing behavior as they occur in natural settings, is discussed. (Author/CB)

Discusses the effects of mastery learning and criterion-referenced grading schemes on student memory and motivation to succeed. Indicates that such programs are effective in college level developmental education programs. Provides suggestions for establishing criterion-referenced grading schemes, including several variants of mastery grading…

Defines learning disabled (LD) and discusses problems related to the identification and accommodation of LD students on college campuses. Reviews approaches that have been taken to modify instructional practices and possible solutions to meeting the needs of LD students. Addresses considerations in college selection. (DMM)

Steps for enhancing skills and motivation for solving interpersonal problems are included. In addition, reference is made to planning intervention for learning disabled students. (Author/SEW)

Attentional skills (distractibility, attention span, goal directedness) are crucial in promoting or hindering progression through curricular targets, yet these strands are not included in "5-14" (national curriculum) guidelines. Proposes an additional 5-14 learning outcome with its associated strands and targets to encourage growth of…

This paper examines learning-disabled students' change in legal status as they leave high school, which is structured by Public Law 94-142, and enter college settings structured by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The paper discusses implications of the change, transition programs, and guidelines for developing legal transition…

This article addresses aspects of social skill instruction for students with learning disabilities, including assessing the need for instruction, the cultural context, children's and adults' opinions of the value of specific skills, social validation of skills, behavior replacement, and the developmental level of the child. (DB)

Discusses the development of informal mathematics in young children, the problems with formal mathematics instruction, how the traditional approach fails to address mathematics learning disabilities, and how a developmental perspective can assist in the identification and treatment of students with mathematics learning disabilities. (CR)