In response to an earlier article on foreign language learning disabilities in college students, the article reports on a similar study using the Modern Language Aptitude Test and concludes that, as yet, tests are not adequate to determine a disability affecting foreign language learning. (DB)

A teacher describes her experiences using "mathematics across the curriculum" problem solving activities with 12- and 13-year-old students with moderate to severe learning difficulties. She concludes that the experience of real problem solving is an approach that has great potential for use with special need students. (PK)

Many children with learning handicaps have difficulty learning to write numerals. The source of numeral-writing difficulties and some things which can be done to teach or remedy this skill are presented. (MNS)

Programs for learning-disabled students generally emphasize basic skills acquisition, are highly individualized, use diagnostic-prescriptive methods, and are based on mastery learning principles. A more holistic approach is advocated and would include the content areas, systematic group interaction and instruction, experiential learning…

A list is presented of 70 typical academic problems of learning-disabled children that special educators must be able to diagnose and remedy. The problems are categorized as follows: reading, language, spelling, handwriting, arithmetic, thinking, and school task and behavior problems. (JDD)

Interpersonal relationships should be an important part of learning-disabled students' curricula and should focus on appropriate classroom behavior, the impact of poor language skills on socialization, resistance to change, establishing degrees of value and priorities, cause-effect relationships in human interaction, planning/organizational…

This article outlines learning patterns which can identify the gifted learning-disabled and discusses the importance of early diagnosis, the importance of the student's participation in programs for the learning-disabled as well as for the gifted, and recommendations for helping the student succeed. (JDD)

The school survival skills of 36 learning disabled (LD) high school students were compared with those of nonhandicapped and emotionally disturbed students. Although LD students tended to be ill prepared, inattentive, and not to volunteer comments or questions, their performance was not significantly different from that of the normal control group.…

The article reviews findings regarding the use of severe discrepancy formulas in the identification of learning disabilities by the Work Group on Measurement Issues in the Assessment of Learning Disabilities. Associated problems such as overreliance on test scores and the exclusion of the teacher in educational decision making are discussed.…

The article reviews the role of development and individual differences in the concept of discrepancy as applied to the differential diagnosis of learning disabilities. It is concluded that discrepancy may be better used within learning disabilities rather than in distinguishing between learning disabilities and other handicapping conditions.…

This article reviews the impact of learning disabilities on self-esteem, discussing: how self-esteem develops, how it suffers when learning disabilities are present, and how to contribute to a learning-disabled child's self-esteem by helping the child feel more capable, more significant, more powerful, and more worthy. (Author/JDD)

Use of the whole language theory can improve the reading and writing of the language-learning disabled. This paper describes resource room characteristics necessary to create a whole language-learning environment and outlines instructional practices consistent with whole language theory, such as reading aloud, language experience approach,…

Ideas are presented for enhancing written expression programs for learning-disabled students. The ideas include, among others, creating a writing center in the classroom; encouraging students to share their writing with the teacher and classmates; capitalizing on such student interests as personal correspondence, a journal, and important…

Two experiments comparing the effectiveness of direct versus mnemonic instruction in teaching learning-disabled high school students (N=56) and educable mentally retarded junior high school students (N=8) about the hardness of minerals indicated that students taught with the mnemonic pictorial method substantially outperformed direct instruction…

Learning-disabled students entering college may be uncomfortable about their abilities and disabilities and establish an "avoidance pattern" toward participation in class. Effective interventions combine support with realistic explanations of learning strengths and weakness, and include counseling, organizations supporting learning-disabled…