The paper discusses the effects of excesses and/or deficiencies in certain dietary components on the functioning of the central nervous system and the behavior of children with learning disabilities and antisocial behaviors. Nutritional modes of managing and treating such behaviors are suggested. (Author/DB)

A group of 182 children (ages four through nine) with known or suspected sensory integrative dysfunction were assessed using tests and clinical observations to examine developmental dyspraxia. The study did not justify the existence of either a unitary function or different types of developmental dyspraxia. (Author/CH)

A peer tutoring spelling game using social and token reinforcement, team competition, distributed practice, and error correction resulted in dramatically improved spelling performances by six learning disabled third graders. Eighteen average peers also benefited, although not to the same extent. (CL)

The paper surveys and analyzes the definitions of learning disabilities proposed by experts in the field and by legislative mandate. The discussion is organized around five topics: (1) historical developments, (2) common elements in the definitions, (3) criticisms of federal definitions, (4) theoretical versus operational definitions, and (5)…

Concentrating on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence in elementary school classrooms ignores the dominant strengths of most children, who may possess alternative spatial, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal, or intrapersonal intelligence. Explains how elementary teachers can transform "dysteachea" into learning strategies for…

The article presents an overview of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities, the organizations it represents, its history, its mission statement, a listing of its position papers, and the process by which it operates and takes positions. (DB)

The performance of 60 learning disabled and normally achieving children (ages 9-12), either given minimal instruction to use organizing strategies or engaged only in practice with a free recall task, were compared. Factors underlying the unexpected finding that strategy use did not account for learning disabled students' poor recall are discussed.…

The survey of 195 regular and special secondary educators indicated learning disabled students receive little instruction on social issues despite their increased vulnerability to negative consequences resulting from poor thinking skills, social skills deficits, and a weak information base. (Author/DB)

The article proposes the use of cooperative learning techniques with learning disabled students and suggests ways to implement cooperative learning principles using microcomputers. (DB)

A study investigated the possible relationship between month and season of birth and subsequent identification of learning disabilities in 583 learning disabled and 7,911 non-learning disabled kindergarten through twelfth grade students. Non-parametric statistical analysis of the data indicated non-significant differences in birthdate patterns…

The effects of illustrations on comprehension were investigated with 32 learning disabled elementary-aged students. Results showed significantly more correct responses to comprehension questions following the non-illustrated passages. (Author)

The article describes the evolution of a service delivery system to address the needs of learning disabled students in a medium-sized Canadian school district. The steps followed in moving the service delivery system into place are described. The relationship between research and political issues and the need for further program development are…

Eight context setting paragraph-length stories were used to measure third through sixth graders' figurative language comprehension. Significant differences were found in the overall performance of the two groups on both conditions at each grade level tested. Metacognitive factors appear implicated in learning-disabled children's understanding of…

Twenty-six pairs of elementary-aged learning disabled and nonhandicapped children were assessed on social perception (empathy) and social skills measures. Few differences were found between the groups on the empathy and social skills measures. A correlation between social skill and empathy was found only for the nonhandicapped group. (Author/DB)

The position statement of the Board of Trustees of the Council for Learning Disabilities opposes the use of discrepancy formulas to determine eligibility for learning disability services and recommends instead comprehensive diagnostic evaluations. (DB)