This article reviews the current status of the behavior disorders field in the context of increasing criticisms of special education generally. It notes critical issues within the field and reviews its strengths, contributions, notable achievements, and capacity to produce high quality research. Challenges such as the need to translate research…

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…