Questions the results of an earlier study that found that accommodating instructional style to disadvantaged students' interaction patterns increases the students' achievement-related behavior. (AEA)

A collection of articles on the lifelong process of motor development focuses on: (1) neural changes in lifespan motor development; (2) the effects of developmental memory differences on learning motor skills; (3) physical growth and motor performance; (4) motor development in children with learning disabilities; (5) a motor development program…

Studied the stability of Child Study Team classifications over four years by relocating learning disabled (LD), emotionally disturbed (ED), and unclassified boys (UC) originally sampled in 1975. Results demonstrate high stability of classification status for UC children, moderate stability for LD children, and relatively low stability for ED…

From the perspective of reading specialists, factors contributing to reading difficulties include visual and auditory limitations, instructional and environmental problems, and emotional difficulties. A hierarchy of word recognition skills is presented. The usefulness of diagnosing children learning disabled or dyslexic is examined in the context…

Learning disabled fifth graders in Florida were given modified versions of the Florida State Student Assessment Test. Modifications such as additional examples, smaller subsections, unjustified formats, and grouping of items in order of difficulty facilitated the students' performance. Use of large-print tests made little difference. (Authors/PP)

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) (WISC-R) factor structures were compared for learning disabled Navajo and Papago children. Results support the validity of the WISC-R as a measure of general intellectual functioning, and verbal and performance aspects for both groups, indicating its appropriateness for diverse groups of children.…

The study examined three components of the initial expectations of 66 secondary vocational teachers toward mainstreamed educable mentally retarded and learning disabled children. Among findings was that presence of the labels lowered the initial academic and behavioral expectations of teachers in the sample. (SB)

Reading deficits among elementary-aged learning disabled children with suspected neurocognitive dysfunctions were calculated. The children were grouped according to IQ profiles. Results indicated that the pattern of high verbal-low performance IQs was associated with the least deficiency in reading ; this association was evident as early as second…

Describes the use of computers in special education to provide new learning opportunities and better teaching strategies for handicapped students. Indicates that computers can teach cursive writing, test the effectiveness of a teaching method, and simulate systems such as tune-composing and sentence generating. (DC)

Linguistic and perceptual tests were administered to learning disabled readers (LDR) and normal readers (NR). Results found six LDR subgroups all significantly different. Differences were found among the six LDR subgroups on measures of oral reading, reading comprehension, and spelling skills, but not on family history and developmental…

A sexual dimorphism in the functional asymmetry of the damaged human brain is reflected in a test-specific laterality effect in male patients, explaining some contradictions concerning the effects of unilateral brain damage on intelligence in studies in which the influence of sex was overlooked. (Author/SK)

The study evaluated two kindergarten predictive instruments, the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Tests: Readiness Skills and the Teacher Estimate of Kindergarten Pupils' Abilities, by following the same 107 kindergartners over 1, 2, 3, and 4 years using multiple regression analysis. (Author/SBH)

In this study of four hyperactive elementary children, the effects of painting and physical activities on attention-to-task were observed. Both techniques brought improvement, the pleasure of the activities seeming to provide an intrinsic reward which the children internalized, bringing increased attention-to-task to other classroom activities.…

Students with learning disabilities do not have to be problematic for adults. Adults' frustration does not have to increase these students' problems. Active, positive steps can be taken to lessen children's problems and ease adults' frustration so that the helplessness associated with learning disabilities may gradually disappear. (Author/BEF)

Dance therapy deals with personal growth via body-mind interaction. A change in movement expression is believed to result in a personality or behavior change. The therapist is trained to become sensitive to movement expression as it relates to the psychological, motor, and cognitive development of the child. (JN)