The paper compares characteristics of underachievers with characteristics of learning-disabled gifted children; describes results of clinical assessments of learning-disabled gifted children; offers guidelines for identifying such students; and discusses teaching strategies that can be used at school and home. (JDD)

This review addresses the characteristics and needs of gifted learning disabled (GLD) and gifted underachieving (GUA) students and provides educational strategies for both groups. A section on the GUA describes these students' unique personal, social, and family characteristics and notes that underachievement is more prevalent among boys than…

In the first article, a discussion is given of proficiency, procedures and materials for performance evaluation, instructional placement, and effective teaching tactics for two areas of instruction--word pronunciation and reading comprehension. A measurement focus rather than a method focus toward teaching is emphasized. The second article…

This article outlines learning patterns which can identify the gifted learning-disabled and discusses the importance of early diagnosis, the importance of the student's participation in programs for the learning-disabled as well as for the gifted, and recommendations for helping the student succeed. (JDD)

A survey of 49 state directors of special education found that prereferral interventions for students suspected of having a handicap were required or recommended by most states. Also determined were types of interventions frequently used, professionals responsible for designing and implementing the interventions, and the interventions'…

This practicum project sought to increase teachers' awareness of handicapping conditions and of the role of support service personnel, and to encourage them to make more appropriate and more timely referrals of potential special education students. The project's goals were to enable teachers in two targeted elementary schools to: understand the…

An instructional package, LD.Trainer, was developed from a computer-based expert system (CLASS.LD2) combined with strategies of effective concept instruction. Evaluation with 97 preservice and in-service educators found users of LD.Trainer scored significantly higher on a posttest of ability to accurately identify learning-disabled students. (DB)

In this interview, two collaborators in research on teaching foreign languages to learning-disabled students are questioned regarding specific foreign language learning disabilities, possible subtypes, diagnosis, policies of colleges regarding students unable to meet foreign language requirements, and recent research in the field. (PB)

The purpose of this booklet is to provide literacy instructors and tutors with information on adults with learning disabilities and their needs within literacy programs. It defines learning disabilities and describes characteristics of adults with learning disabilities, emphasizing that, for tutors, the issue is how to determine whether the…

Feelings of helplessness can impact on learning to read. This research review illustrates problems in assessing learned helplessness, including instrumentation inadequacies, lack of comprehensive causal schemes, context specificity, etc. Observations of and discussions with the child are recommended in the assessment process. Guidelines for…

The article traces the development of the concept of learning disabilities (LD) in American education from a sociohistorical perspective, prompting a variety of observations and conclusions. The scientific basis for the conceptualization of the LD clinical syndrome is weak. A clinically identified dysfunctional learning style has been transformed…

Summaries of several papers are presented to develop a working theoretical analysis of reading comprehension and an understanding of development in language comprehension based upon empirical studies. Contributions from the areas of assessment, artificial intelligence, cognition (including schema theory), instruction, linguistics, learning…

This book was written to help teachers gain a better understanding of children who are failing in school and to provide a systematic process of attacking their learning problems. The text presents workable principles for determining probable causes of learning problems and for selecting suitable, effective remedial activities. Learning problems…

This review of early intervention for preschool children with learning disabilities examines: (1) definitions of learning disabilities; (2) characteristics of learning-disabled children and children at risk; (3) identification of preschool children at risk; (4) efficacy of early intervention; (4) phases of an early intervention program, including…

This book offers an overview and a context for understanding learning disabilities in a regular education setting. An initial section offers perspectives for understanding the nature and scope of learning problems and learning disabilities. An overview of intervention is then presented, exploring each phase of the process, the types of programs…