Compared 28- to 53-month-olds' writing and drawing. Scores on a writing scale composed of graphic, "writing-like," and symbolic schemes improved with age. Recognition of drawings as drawings preceded recognition of writings as writings. Writing and drawing scores were substantially correlated, even with age partialed out, suggesting that…

This study examined whether the gender stereotypes used for comparison in a popular test of gender development--the Sex Role Learning Index (SERLI)--are relevant to contemporary children in Canada. Findings indicated that the SERLI's feminine stereotypes were no longer normative, while the SERLI's masculine stereotypes were still temporally valid.…

This study used a quasi-experimental design to examine the effect of being diagnosed with a learning disability on elementary school children's self-esteem. Findings indicated that self-esteem increased significantly above prediagnosis of a learning disability while self-esteem levels in a control group of children without learning disabilities…

This article describes the two basic versions of the responsiveness-to-intervention (RTI) approach for identifying learning disabilities, the problem solving model and the standard-protocol approach. It reviews evidence on effectiveness and feasibility and concludes that more needs to be understood before RTI may be viewed as a valid…

The life stories of 12 adults diagnosed with dyslexia as children were examined. Findings indicate that by school age, all participants noted self-esteem problems when they experienced struggles or failures in school. Testing and diagnosis improved self-esteem when conducted in a relevant manner that led to adaptation. (Contains references.)…

Tested preschool monolingual speakers of Spanish and English in their native countries on classification of familiar objects through a task assessing strategies in a free sort, a sort with instructions to use natural gender, and one for the Spanish speakers with instructions to use grammatical gender. Results suggest that instructional context and…

Followed 150 children over four years who were classified according to cluster analysis of teacher ratings into four types of social withdrawal: unsociable, passive-anxious, active-isolate, and sad-depressed. Found that unsociable children had elevated sociometric neglect rates, active-isolates had higher levels of rejection, and sad-depressed had…

An overview is provided of the similarities and distinctions between individuals with autism and those with Asperger syndrome (AS). The cognitive and neurocognitive profiles underlying deficits characteristic of autism spectrum disorders are reviewed and particular emphasis is placed on comparisons of high-functioning autism to AS on the basis of…

This article considers whether Asperger syndrome (AS) should necessarily be viewed as a disability or as a difference. It concludes that "difference" is a more neutral and fair description. A model (the emphasizing-systemizing model) is summarized that attempts to define in what way individuals with AS are different. (Contains references.)…

The second of two linked articles develops two more mapping typologies: first, an approach to the what, why, and how of leaders, leading, and leadership; and second, the presentation of possible positions that knowledge workers can take when they use and produce knowledge about leadership practice. (Contains 10 notes and 73 references.) (MLF)

A study that followed two genetically homogenous cohorts of Finnish children born in 1966 (n=11,965) and 1965-1986 (n=9,432), found there was no change in total incidence of intellectual disability. However, there was a shift from severe and moderate towards mild; whereas profound intellectual disability remained at the same level. (Contains…

Presented is a simple, unified approach to chemical nomenclature which employs the distinction between the terms chemical substance and chemical species. The classification of matter and chemical nomenclature are used as examples to illustrate this scheme. (CW)

Described is an interactive database of chemical information called "KC? Discoverer: Exploring the Periodic Table." An overview of the program and details of specific functions are given. The uses of this program in teaching undergraduate inorganic chemistry are stressed. (CW)

Described are two reviews of a computer software package: "The Periodic Table Stack," a Hypercard stack that operates on a database of information about the properties and reactions of the elements and designed to help users of Macintosh computers access data found on "KC? Discoverer." Discussed are features of the program and…

Suggests ways census data in the "Statistical Abstract of the United States" may be used to develop thinking skills in economics. Presents a lesson in which students collect data on different types of work done by a small group of workers. Emphasizes the process of classifying workers in order to provide experience with this reasoning…