The Canadian article explores some of the implications of assigning handicapped children to two commonly used categories: learning disabilities and hearing impairments. (Author/DLS)

Compared special education and vocational rehabilitation guidelines for serving individuals with specific learning disabilities from survey of 50 state departments of vocational rehabilitation. Found considerably more agreement within each field than between fields. Found agency definitions shared important elements but differed in how specific…

Explicates the principles underlying whole-language theory and practice to reduce misunderstandings and misapplications and to help teachers of students with learning disabilities provide rich literacy learning experiences for their students. (RS)

This paper presents a theoretical model illustrating L. Siegel's revisionist conceptualization of learning disabilities and then presents an alternative underachievement model. The paper argues that the alternative model applies standard regression procedures which would lead to a more appropriate definition of learning disabilities and applies…

In response to Gresham and Elliott (1989), who concluded that a social skills deficit should not constitute a learning disability, this paper claims that current definitions allow for including social skills deficits. They propose limiting the definition of learning disabilities to intentional learning contexts, thus excluding social skills…

This article offers characteristics and definitions of gifted, learning disabled, and gifted learning disabled. Principles of identification and programing are summarized. The five dimensions of the Autonomous Learner Model (including orientation, individual development, enrichment, seminar, and in-depth study) are applied to program development…

Discusses how the Guckenberger v Boston University case illustrates the interaction of the psychometrics of ability differences with the concept of learning disability and with the sociopolitics of schooling and society. Urges a more inclusive definition of learning disability which abandons aptitude-achievement discrepancy requirements and a more…

A survey of 218 learning disabilities experts found only 30 percent believed IQ-reading achievement discrepancy should be a marker of reading disability. Over two thirds selected three markers: reading achievement, phonemic awareness, and treatment validity. Over 75 percent believed exclusion criteria should remain part of the definition with…

Four issues facing the field of learning disabilities are discussed: (1) defining learning disabilities in terms of discrepancy scores; (2) delineating the boundaries of how specific a learning disability must be; (3) identifying treatments with scientific credibility; and (4) implementing instructional policy that is in the best interest of the…

Simulated data were used to demonstrate that groups formed by imposing cut-points based on either discrepancy or low-achievement definitions of learning disabilities (LD) are unstable over time. Similar problems were demonstrated in longitudinal data from the Connecticut Longitudinal Study, where 39% of the children designated as having LD in…

Significant limitations in research on learning disability (LD) have included failure to incorporate well-validated guiding theories, use of vague or nonspecific operational definitions, and lack of a systematic framework and common terminology for LD identification. Difficulties in communication among researchers continue to limit theoretical…

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act; IDEIA, 2004) has been reauthorized, and new parameters for defining learning disabilities (LD) have been established that provide more flexibility for corresponding state and local regulations. The field now has a unique opportunity to shape the…

Many adult students with learning disabilities have entered postsecondary schools in recent years. Many of these students experience cognitive, emotional, and behavioral limitations that may act as obstacles in their educational processes and subsequent careers. Research has shown that self-determination skills can help ameliorate the effects of…

The purpose of this article is to help the classroom teacher recognize the child with learning disabilities and to present a teaching philosophy conducive to optimium learning for most children and the LD child in particular. (Author/RK)

The booklet, designed to accompany a videotape, explains the similarities and differences among students with learning problems, specific learning disabilities (LD), mild mental retardation, or behavioral disorders. Specific implications for special education in Illinois are outlined. The underlying problem of over-identification of LD students is…