Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges yet it is defined and diagnosed by the absence or presence of behaviors described in, for example, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5. Descriptions of the disorder include symptoms such as intellectual…

Developmental dyscalculia (DD) is a specific mathematical learning disability, with a prevalence of around 3%-7% in the school-aged population. It negatively affects individuals, and even the national, development. Previous DD-intervention programs usually targeted on numerosity, number, simple arithmetic, or even general cognitive ability. The…

Debate regarding the causes of specific learning disabilities (SLDs), precise definitions of SLDs, and the most effective identification methods has persisted for over 50 years. Two prominent schools of thought regarding SLDs exist: (1) biological perspectives and (2) environmental perspectives. Three identification methods are outlined in the…

Examined normal (N=34), learning disabled (N=34), and borderline mentally retarded (N=33) children's performance on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). Results revealed no significant differences between the WISC-R Full Scale IQ and K-ABC Mental Processing Composite…

Academic self-concept as measured by the Student's Perception of Ability Scale (SPAS) was compared for 81 learning disabled and 81 normally-achieving control children. The results show that learning disabled children hold more negative self-perceptions of ability in reading, spelling, and arithmetic than do controls. (Author)

Administered Differential Ability Scales (DAS) to 83 children and adolescents with learning disabilities. Identified six subgroups: generalized, high functioning, normal, underachievement, borderline, and dyseidetic. Not all subgroups displayed expected discrepancy between intelligence and achievement associated with current definitions of…

Administered Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, and Wide Range Achievement Test to 934 learning-disabled students between ages 8 and 16. Principal-components analysis with varimax rotation indicated existence of seven factors: Verbal Reasoning, Academic…

Examines WISC-III profiles for children with learning disabilities (LD; n=66) and non-LD children (n=51); degree of intersubtest scatter was normal and similar for both groups but the pattern of scores differed. Also examines children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Results reflect the difficulty of ruling out LD at a young age.…

Compared the WISC-R performance of children ranging in age from 6-6 to 15-10, referred to a university center for suspected learning disabilities, with that of clinically-defined groups of learning disabled children. The university center children were bound to have WISC-R profiles similar to those of the learning disabled children. (Author)

Examined long-term predictive validity of Learning Disabilities Index (LDI) as it relates to achievement outcomes for learning-disabled children. Results indicated that successive LDI scores at ages 7, 10, and 13 were capable of differentiating among children who had been identified as good, moderate, and poor outcome groups at age 13. (Author/NB)

Examined relationship of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised), (WISC-R), and the Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery (W-JPB), Part Two, using children (N=34) with learning disabilities. Found more consistent relationships between WISC-R and W-JPB Achievement tests than…

Examined the concurrent validity of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Childen (K-ABC) with 47 students referred for learning difficulties. Data analysis indicated that the K-ABC Achievement global scale was the only significant predictor of the PPVT-R. Implications for practitioners are…

These tests provide one source of diagnostic data to support educational decisions for learning disabled children. The Profile Graph expedites communication of diagnostic assessment results to parents and teachers, and is a useful source of information in making placement and program planning decisions for learning disabled children. (Author)

Applied two methods for determining severe discrepancies between ability and achievement to K-12 students (n=344) to determine how a change in method might influence rates and characteristics of students meeting this criterion. Results indicate an increase when a regression method is used over a simple difference score method, but a 20% decrease…

This study suggests that the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Slosson Intelligence Test measure different and limited aspects of a child's ability and are only rough estimates of his/her capability of what is generally termed intelligence. Scores from either should be interpreted with care and in light of other information about a child.…