This study employed a meta-analytic approach to examine the effectiveness of graphic organizers (GOs) in improving academic and behavioral outcomes for K-12 students with disabilities, drawing from the single-case special education literature. Moderators at participant and study level were analyzed in addition to the main effects. A comprehensive…

Programmatic, multidisciplinary research provided converging brain, genetic, and developmental support for evidence-based diagnoses of three specific learning disabilities based on hallmark phenotypes (behavioral expression of underlying genotypes) with treatment relevance: dysgraphia (impaired legible automatic letter writing, orthographic…

A pediatric neurologist and child psychologist discusses the definition of learning disabilities and considers the role of individual differences in reading readiness and reading problems. (CL)

Many learning disabled adolescent students can have a successful college experience if a school follows appropriate guidelines for counseling such students. The guidelines include establishing objective criteria for students' college abilities and needs, continuing to evaluate learning problems, and researching available college programs. (CJH)

In response to a previous article, the paper characterizes learning disabilities as the consequence of a transaction between students exhibiting certain individual differences and the social system of the schools. Basic and applied research can be related in good instructional research which includes the context of disability. (DB)

The author argues that many children labeled as learning disabled are merely exhibiting the range of individual differences statistically expected for various school related abilities. She encourages the individualization of instruction in the regular class to allow individual rates of progress and to avoid the learning disability label. (DB)

In response to Poplin (EC 210 561) and Heshusius (EC 220 916), the paper stresses that holism and empiricism are not dichotomous paradigms and that learning-disabled students require instruction which recognizes individual differences, the meaning inherent in structure and pattern, and accountability consistent with the paradigm being applied. (DB)

This article notes the failures of traditional deficit models of learning disabilities and considers, instead, possibilities of Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. It summarizes findings on talents of students labeled learning disabled, evidence of their abilities, implications of these for schools, and preliminary recommendations…

This article compares four theories relating vocabulary knowledge to reading comprehension and applies these theories to vocabulary development instructional approaches for various types of students with problems in reading comprehension. The four theories are the instrumentalist hypothesis, the aptitude hypothesis, the access hypothesis, and the…

Ten learning-disabled adolescents (LDs) performed a reading comprehension task below the level of same-age nondisabled students (NLDs) but at the same level as younger NLDs (YNDs). On a measure of incipient awareness of theme, LDs scored below YNDs. Why LDs have difficulty getting the point is discussed. (SLD)

This review of the history of learning disabilities (LD) suggests that creation of the LD category has served scientific, if not always, policy purposes. It finds that 40 years of research have produced inventive, creative tools that benefit both investigation and intervention and, most importantly, a better understanding of individual…

This article discusses the difficulties in meeting the needs of diverse student populations including those with learning and/or behavioral difficulties while meeting the demands of standards and accountability. It stresses the importance of matching the reading instructional program to the specific needs of the student and fine-tuning strategies…

The article reviews the role of development and individual differences in the concept of discrepancy as applied to the differential diagnosis of learning disabilities. It is concluded that discrepancy may be better used within learning disabilities rather than in distinguishing between learning disabilities and other handicapping conditions.…