This article reviews problems in identification of learning disabilities and considers proposed alternatives to present procedures. It argues that the major problems of over identification, variability, and specificity, can be eliminated by increasing specificity and consistency of state criteria and strict adherence to identification criteria on…

A case study with two Finnish 10-year-old boys evaluated an intervention designed to promote the spelling skills of students with severe writing difficulties. The intervention comprised strategy instruction, procedural facilitation, and computer-assisted tutoring. Participants showed gains in spelling accuracy, spelling revision skills, decoding…

This article highlights some of the defining characteristics of distance education courses and their impact on traditional assessment practices for instructors and students, including those with learning disabilities. Factors that instructors need to consider for dealing with test accommodations for students with learning disabilities are…

A study evaluated a person-centered counseling intervention on the self-concept of four children (ages 6-12) with moderate mental retardation. The study used person-centered art therapy as an adjunct to counseling. Three of the children indicated an improved self-concept. However, only one teacher indicated a positive movement within the child.…

This article presents research-based examples of effective instructional approaches for improving the quality of stories and essays written by students with learning disabilities. A common goal of the studies examined was to teach students how to organize writing tasks, generate ideas about the writing topics, and produce final written products…

A woman with Down syndrome, who had shown selective mutism for more than 14 years, successfully participated in a program designed to reinforce communication and gradually increase the number of words spoken to one person and then to others. Nonaversive behavior methods were used and response initiative procedures were developed. (Contains…

This article describes strategic content learning (SCL), a strategies-training model that integrates cognitive, behavioral, sociocultural, and constructivist learning theories. The theoretical rationale for SCL is provided, followed by a review of research documenting SCL efficacy for postsecondary students with learning disabilities. Preliminary…

Four alternate versions of a 15-item general outcome measure (GOM) of mathematics conceptual understanding and applications were developed and administered to 117 eighth-graders. Results were correlated with scores on state multiple-choice mathematics achievement tests. Correlations ranged from .81 to .87 with no significant differences, offering…

A study involving 158 college students with learning disabilities who were granted foreign language course substitutions found there were few cognitive and academic achievement differences among students with differing levels of IQ-achievement or achievement-achievement discrepancy on Modern Language Aptitude Test and American College Testing…

The article addresses use of microcomputer-based word processing for students with writing disabilities. The research is briefly reviewed, and four guidelines for choosing word processing software are offered, as are principles for teaching keyboarding. (DB)

Subjects at risk for specific learning disabilities were assessed on standardized measures throughout elementary and middle school, following an intervention based on task analysis of kindergarten curricula and team teaching. All results were significant for the treatment group in relation to an at-risk cohort. (Author/DB)

Discusses the following administrative factors that determine the success or failure of nontraditional programs: (1) the organization of the program, such as whether or not it is designated as a special division; (2) amount of resources available for its use; and (3) whether or not it has an advisory board. (JS)

Followup of 68 learning-disabled students is reported including information on educational and technical-vocational experiences, employment and marital status, children, level of independence, and subjective feelings of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Outcomes were favorable for most in the college graduate and high school graduate group and…

A comparison of cognitive, academic, and linguistic profiles for 74 learning-disabled students and 37 nondisabled college students found significant differences in reading, writing, listening, and speaking achievement. No significant differences were found for gender or Verbal-Performance split in cognitive ability. Instruments used showed similar…

Topics include the use of light sensitive pens and codes to teach reading to slow readers, blind and learning-disabled children, and children with mental retardation; new booklets and audiovisual programs designed to help professionals, families, and communities cope with problems of today's youth; and a book that examines self-care for children…