An interview with B. Slingerland, an educator with over 50 years experience with specific language disabled students, traces her early work in the field, and reviews her theories about teaching language disabled children, including her emphasis on intrinsic motivation rather than behavior modification and her reluctance to receive government…

The article critiques some of the flaws of mainstreaming, such as grade-level curriculum demands, reporting systems, standardized tests, teacher training, and the individualization of instruction. (Author/SBH)

The article elucidates 14 principles drawn from the structuralist, constructivist, and holist literature and applies them to the teaching of learning disabled students. (Author/DB)

In response to two papers decrying reductionism and advocating holistic constructivism in models of learning disabilities, the article applauds trends toward a shifting paradigm in the field but warns against advocating any single approach as the only valid path to effective learning. (DB)

Subtypes of learning disabilities based on neuropsychological, developmental, and behavioral perspectives are reviewed. A multidimensional perspective integrating aspects of all three approaches is proposed which draws a distinction between production and mediational subtypes of learning disorders and stresses an ideographic approach to assessment…

The article responds to three papers (by S. Forness, K. Reid, and W. Kimball and T. Heron) which reacted to two papers by M. Poplin (1988) concerning the reductionist fallacy in learning disabilities and holistic/constructivist principles of the teaching-learning process, with implications for the field of learning disabilities. (DB)

This position statement of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities identifies factors necessary for effective educational services for students with learning disabilities in general education classrooms; problems related to providing these services; and recommendations for actions required at the state, school district, and school…

The article maintains that a reductionist fallacy in the four major models (medical, psychological, behavioral, and cognitive strategy) underlying services to learning disabled students explains the efficacy problems that have long plagued the field. (Author/DB)

This article introduces a series of papers on cognitive process-based instruction for students with learning disabilities. Cognitive process-based instruction is defined and differentiated from the process training advocated by S. Kirk in the 1970s. The method's basis of sound theory and academic tasks is stressed. (DB)

The paper describes an inservice workshop on learning disabilities for college faculty including the processes used to assess needs and promote inservice involvement. Positive inservice evaluations suggested attainment of program goals of providing information about learning disabilities and discussing ethical and pedagogical issues concerning…

For the purpose of developing a diagnostic and prescriptive program for children with learning problems in mathematics, task analysis is employed to develop a hierarchy of skills which identifies a terminal task and prerequisite skills. (Author/DB)

Eighty-one kindergarten children at risk for reading disabilities were assigned to either code-emphasis or meaning-emphasis instruction for first and second grades. Children who received code instruction subsequently scored higher than the other group on reading and spelling measures. Critical instructional program elements are discussed.…

Considered is the application of applied behavior analysis to specific areas (reading, spelling, penmanship, writing, arithmetic and pupil management) of importance to learning disabled children. (Author/DB)

Favorably reviewed are a prescriptive program model, a handbook containing educational therapy materials, a collection of large type books, and a psychophysical development program to be used with learning disabled children. (MC)

The paper argues that prevailing models of teaching in special education rely on a technical conception of teaching, whereas technical skills should play a subsidiary role in service to teachers' broader understanding of the meaning of education and to their creative skills in bringing about experiences rich in educational potential. (JDD)