Purpose: The ontogeny of mandibular control is important for understanding the general neurophysiologic development for speech and alimentary behaviors. Prior investigations suggest that mandibular control is organized distinctively across speech and nonspeech tasks in 15-month-olds and adults and that, with development, these extant forms of…

Our understanding of mind-brain interaction has been vastly altered by studies that now offer a clearer picture of the two brain hemispheres and their specialized forms of intellect. (Editor)

The study reports a cluster analysis of Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery sources of 25 learning disabled adults. The cluster analysis suggested the presence of three subgroups within this sample, one having high elevations on the Rhythm, Writing, Reading, and Arithmetic Rhythm scales, the second having an extremely high evelation on the…

The article describes the Creativity Mobilization Technique, a nonverbal process-oriented method involving work with brush, paint, and paper that attempts to activate functions essential for various types of creative activities. (Author/SBH)

The authors consider recent research on brain lateralization in learning disabled children that has used three different experimental paradigms, noting that these studies have advanced knowledge about factors that can affect performance on the tasks that measure lateralization, but they do not produce a conclusive picture of abnormal…

The paper relates early work of Samuel Orton on cerebral dominance to current neuropsychological concepts of laterality as reciprocal functions of the two cerebral hemispheres. The genetic-cultural perspectives of laterality and functional asymmetry in relation to learning disorders are discussed. (Author/CL)

Research concerning lateralization of human brain functions is examined in light of the recent publication of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. Following a review of research methodologies and functions ascribed to the hemispheres of the brain, differences are portrayed as complementary and coexisting modes of cognitive processing.…

The concept of pathologic left-handedness is reviewed, from historical and empirical perspectives. It is suggested that there is no adequate evidence to justify its continued use, and the fact that the concept is still much used may be the result of a desire to restore lost symmetry to the brain. (Author/CL)

Computerized tomography (CT) of the brain was used to examine 27 infantile autistic children, 9 children with other kinds of childhood psychoses, 23 children with mental retardation, and 16 normal children. Gross abnormalities were seen in 26 percent of the autism cases. (Author/SEW)

The neural networks of several invertebrate animals are currently being studied for clues to cerebral function. The major goal of the studies is an understanding of the neural mechanisms behind learning. Organisms used, examples of research studies, and implications are discussed. (Author/JN)

Examines recent research in neuropsychology showing that hand position while writing is indicative of brain organization. Concludes that to force children to hold pencils or pens in the same straight position may be deleterious to those whose natural position is not straight. Offers suggestions for handwriting instruction. (FL)

Reviews the relevant background on brain organization in left-handers, describing Levy and Reid's findings and other studies relevant to the area of research. (Author/RH)

Concludes that sociobiology is of some use in explaining microlevel (social) psychological phenomena (although social variables must always be considered at the same time) but is of negligible importance in explaining macrolevel phenomena. Available from Behavioral Science, Systems Science Publications, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY…

Describes some experiments with monkeys that "can provide us with vital and unexpected information about the organization of the human brain", according to Dr. James H. Dewson, a Stanford University scientist. (Editor/RK)

This paper reviews literature supporting the notion that learning disabilities are presumed to be a result of central nervous system dysfunction. It focuses on the postmortem and neuroimaging studies that provide evidence of a neurological conceptualization of learning disabilities. (Author/JDD)