A wealth of research has been conducted into emergent literacy (i.e., precursors to formal reading) skills and development in typically developing (TD) children. However, despite research suggesting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk of reading challenges, limited research exists on their emergent literacy. Thus, we aimed to…

The rationale underlying megavitamin therapy for remediating children's learning disorders is discussed. (Author/JYC)

A review of the literature suggests that no significant research has been conducted with adolescents with educational handicaps in the areas of achievement motivation, labeling, memory and retrieval, moral development, and cognitive development and integration. (Author)

In response to S. A. Cohen's paper on research problems in learning disabilities, the author suggests that ecological methods are equally valid scientifically as experimental methods if the problem is well conceptualized. (DB)

In response to S. A. Cohen's paper on research problems in learning disabilities, the author agrees that there has been too much ex post facto correlational research and reliance on etiological labels but emphasizes that not enough attention has been paid to the formulation of sound theory underlying research hypotheses. (DB)

In response to S. A. Cohen's paper on research problems in learning disabilities (LD), the author agrees that much research has shown inconsistent and inconclusive results, points out conceptual inadequacies in LD research, stresses the need to define the research population, and differentiates between constructs and behaviors. (DB)

Three basic assumptions underlying learning disabilities (such as the belief that it is a condition which can be defined, identified and remediated) are critically reviewed. (CL)

The paper presents strategies for conducting research helpful to community instruction for students with autism. Research issues in setting variables (including heterogeneous/homogeneous groupings and instructional environments) are addressed as well as the use of the discrete trial format (including prompts, responses, and consequences). (CL)

In response to S. A. Cohen's paper on research problems in learning disabilities the author agrees on the need for better definitions and more experimental studies (rather than ex post facto correlational studies) but suggests that subgroups within the broad classification of learning disabilities be identified for research and instructional…

In response to S. A. Cohen's paper on research problems in learning disabilities, the author supports an eclectic attitude toward research advocating the utilization of both theory and experimentation. (DB)

Stressed in the symposium paper are research problems in learning disabilities, and proposed are solutions including behavioral definitions of the population under study, the discontinuation of the ex post facto research correlating psychosocial and etiological factors with special education labels, and adherence to basic rules of good research…

In answering responses to his paper on research problems in learning disabilities, the author reiterates his belief that more experimental designs based on observable behaviors are needed. (DB)

Three special educators (Brown, McDonnell, and Billingsley) respond to a review in the same issue by Wolery and Schuster. The first urges a paradigm shift in researching these issues, the second urges more study on the complexities of providing individualized instruction in the regular classroom, and the third stresses the need to examine effects…