Children with mathematical difficulties need to spend more time than typically achieving children on solving even simple equations. Since these tasks already require a larger share of their cognitive resources, additional demands imposed by the need to switch between tasks may lead to a greater decline of performance in children with mathematical…

The purpose of the present study was to test the efficacy of a modified cognitive strategy instructional intervention originally developed to improve the mathematical problem solving of middle and high school students with learning disabilities (LD). Fifth and sixth grade general education mathematics teachers and their students of varying ability…

This study investigated the role of strategy instruction and working memory capacity (WMC) on word problem solving accuracy in children with (n = 100) and without (n = 92) math difficulties (MD). Within classrooms, children in Grades 2 and 3 were randomly assigned to one of four treatment conditions: verbal-only strategies (e.g., underlining…

The purpose of the study was to investigate the metacognitive abilities of students with LD as they engage in math problem solving and to determine processing differences between these students and their low- and average-achieving peers (n = 73). Students thought out loud as they solved three math problems of increasing difficulty. Protocols were…

Analogical reasoning--perceiving similarities in different situations and the transfer of such information--facilitates learning and understanding. However, children with learning disabilities (LD) typically demonstrate deficits in such information processing strategies. In this study, we investigated the analogical problem-solving differences…

Computer logic is advised for teaching learning disabled children because the computer reduces complicated problems to series of subproblems, then combines solutions of subproblems to solve the initial problem. Seven examples for using the technique are given, including solving verbal math problems. Encourages teachers to learn computer…

Microanalysis of problem-solving activities of 10 learning-disabled and 10 normally achieving children (ages 10-12) found that, although normally achieving subjects reached more sophisticated levels of strategy use, there was no evidence that the learning-disabled subjects were inactive, passive, or maladaptive in their problem-solving attempts.…

Moderately and severely learning disabled boys were evaluated in terms of constructs of reflection-impulsivity and field dependence-independence, which concerns cognitive style and whether one is able to perceive and utilize discrete elements of his perceptual field. (KW)

Current hypotheses explaining the link between learning disability and delinquency are evaluated. An alternative hypothesis is proposed which postulates that ineffective social cognitive problem-solving skills increase risk for delinquency in learning-disabled youth. (Author/DB)

Poor performance on the search task, which differentiated the clinical groups from the normal group but not from one another, was associated across groups with adverse conduct ratings, lower achievement, and lower scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) Arithmetic, Coding, Information, Digit Span (ACID) subtests. (Author)

A study examined the executive functioning of 55 elementary school children with and without problems in written expression. A model that reflects some of the executive function domains (initiate, sustain, set shifting and inhibition/stopping) which significantly separate good writers from poor writers was used, however, none of the executive…

The study with 989 learning-disabled students supported the cognitive-based arithmetic problem-solving model of Dinnel et al. under continuous visual stimulus conditions but suggested a more complex neuropsychological underpinning to arithmetic performance in both visual and aural stimulus conditions. (Author/DB)

Recent research in mathematics instruction underscores the importance of problem solving and higher-level thinking. This article presents four themes in instruction for students with learning disabilities: (1) provide a broad, balanced mathematics curriculum; (2) engage students in meaningful problem tasks; (3) accommodate diverse learning styles;…

This article reviews the research on components of problem solving including two mechanisms for fostering transfer of problem-solving strategies, low-road transfer and high-road transfer, and two types of content (domain specific and higher order thinking). Exploratory research on low-road transfer of higher-order thinking is summarized.…

Research is reviewed on the use of microcomputer technology with learning disabled students in two major areas: (1) extended practice and its role in the development of increased automaticity of basic information processing skills; and (2) problem solving and metacognitive activities. (Author/DB)