This paper opposes the use of discrepancy formulas to identify students with learning disabilities (LD) and stresses the importance of clinical judgment by members of the multidisciplinary evaluation team (MDT). It presents the LD identification procedures required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, examines why formulas are not…

This study examined how 30 general education and 30 special education elementary grade teachers rated the importance of social skills to classroom success and positive relationships of children with learning disabilities, and also considered how teachers determine ratings of difficulty of acquisition of social skills by children with learning…

This study examined the concurrent validity and diagnostic efficiency of the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) with 75 elementary and middle school students with learning disabilities, who had been referred for triennial multidisciplinary re-evaluations. High and significant correlations were found between the K-BIT and the Wechsler…

This theme issue for people working in the field of adult literacy focuses on the impact of learning disabilities (LD) on an adult's social skills. It explores various social, emotional, and daily living concerns which adults with learning disabilities may face. The following articles are included: (1) "Social Skills and Adults with Learning…

This brochure summarizes law, policy, and practice concerning inclusion policies for students with specific learning disabilities (LD). It summarizes requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act concerning the availability of a continuum of placement options and placement in the least…

A study examined the effects of positive teaching techniques, non-confrontational teacher attitudes, and a pleasant classroom environment on the self-esteem of special education students. The study examined 15 special needs high school students from low socio-economic backgrounds. The hypothesis was that the self-esteem of these students would not…

Although school counselors have more contact with children and adolescents than most other human service professionals, they are frequently left out of discussions on diagnostic coding. Ways in which school counselors can use the codes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) are explored in this text. The book…

This paper presents guidelines for creating a collaborative approach for communication among teachers, parents, and students to plan for their transition toward further education or work in adult life and to become informed self-advocates. Guidelines for teachers are presented and include: (1) establishing a system that places the student at the…

This paper discusses the relationship between students with learning disabilities and delinquency and the implications for the vocational rehabilitation process. Learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency are defined to establish a theoretical and conceptual framework. Four hypotheses that have been proposed to explain why individuals with…

Thirty-three college students with learning disabilities responded to a request to identify their learning disability. The responses were then coded and a summary of the professional diagnoses of the learning disabilities was added to the students' self-descriptions. Five authorities in the field of learning disabilities were asked to use a…

A multidimensional clinical assessment project was conducted on an at-risk adolescent population (n=78) in a public school setting. The focus of the project was on the identification of specific learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as they relate to mental health problems and scholastic difficulties.…

This paper examines characteristics of American Indian children, focusing on their similarities with children with learning disabilities. These similarities include: heterogeneity, language problems, concept of time, learned helplessness, locus of control, and discrepancy between potential and achievement. Culturally sensitive prereferral…

A study determined if handicapped adolescents have an interest in reading novels about handicapped teenagers. Many in this population tend to be reluctant readers. Generating interest in reading is important in helping to change that tendency. Reading novels concerning adolescents with handicaps or problems may also be considered a type of therapy…

This paper presents guidelines for learning-disabled students who are in the process of selecting a college or university. Guidelines include being aware that specially designed programs for the learning disabled are still unusual, that institution size may not be an important factor, that a certification of disability may be required to receive…

This handbook is designed to address teachers' most common concerns about learning disabilities (LDs) and teaching adults with LDs. Section 1 defines LDs by describing traits that adults with LDs share. Section 2 focuses on identification of students with LDs. LD characteristics are divided into eight categories: academics, speech/language, motor…