Many students with learning disabilities (LD) exhibit deficiencies in the writing process. In order to achieve an adequate level of writing competence, these students must apply strategies that enable them to effectively plan, organize, write, and revise a written product. Explicit strategy instruction involving a structured style of learning has…

This article presents a case study indicating that "Herpes simplex" virus (HSV) encephalitis may cause permanent learning disabilities due to damage to the temporal lobes, as it discusses the results of a case study extending over 10 years to determine the long-term effects on both the anatomy of the brain and the intellectual functioning of the…

The social epistemologist studies the basic nature of knowledge and defines axioms as statements of absolute truths that are undeniable, inescapable, and devoid of most uncertainties (Machan, 1985). The accidental phenomenon of learning disabilities (LD) has pursued the scientific truths in axioms for 42 years. Writing facts and perceptions…

In the present study the neuropsychological, academic and social-emotional profiles were examined in Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) children. Subjects: 17 NF1 children (ages 7-11) with NF1 without serious medical problems and with a full scale IQ (FSIQ) above 70. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), academic tests and an…

This study examined consequences of the comorbidity of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and learning disability (LD) for the severity and pattern of perceptual-motor dysfunction. Compared to children with only DCD, those with DCD and LD had poorer perceptual-motor ability, with particular difficulty performing manual dexterity and balance…

This review surveys the empirical literature for assessments of learning problems in children from a neuropsychological perspective. An evaluation of children with learning problems must consider measures of working memory, attention, executive function, and comprehension (listening and written), particularly for children who do not respond to…

This study examined a critical learning outcome of behavioral fluency, "application." Application refers to the combination of two or more behaviors that form a composite or compound behavior. Three students with specific learning disabilities in reading learned two behaviors, how to write a set of letter sounds they heard and orally segment words…

A review of previous definitions and professional and lay use of the term "learning disabilities" covers the importance of correctly defining and using the term; precise definition of terms of function; problems with commonly used terminology; and proposal of a new and more precise definition of specific and learning disabilities. (CB)

Prison inmates (N=565) classified as underachievers or adequate readers were administered the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Analysis of recategorized WAIS-R scores suggested that, as a group, the underachieving readers exhibited a pattern different from that of genetic dyslexic Ss and different from that of reading and learning…

The paper examined the extent to which IQ scores of learning disability groups can be explained by the bivariate normal probability distribution. (CL)

The author describes methods she used to hide the fact that, because of a learning disability, she could not read. Through trial and error, the author learned the conditions and ways in which she was able to study and thus was able to largely overcome her disability. (PHR)

Studies pointing to the relationship between caffeine-sugar intake and learning disorders are cited and suggestions to facilitate better nutrition in children are offered. Among suggestions made is that teachers be educated in matters of food, nutrition, and reading through inservice programs. A nutritional questionnaire is included. (SBH)

Examines which of three types of severe discrepancy approaches best accounted for students' identification as learning disabled (LD). Results showed that the best explanation for school-based LD identification practices was a relative achievement discrepancy. Implications of these findings for LD identification practice based on an ecological…

This article introduces a special issue on employment of individuals with learning disabilities, produced in response to a conference sponsored by the President's Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities and the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Key issues include transition into the workforce, social skills,…

Reid and Valle (in this issue) illustrate how discourse within the field of learning disabilities (LD) determines what can and cannot be said and shapes what counts as knowledge or truth. Because basic assumptions about disability often remain unquestioned, Reid and Valle ask us to focus on the epistemological foundations of the field of LD. They…