The author reviews issues in the search for a definition of learning disabilities, suggesting that the effort is within an unidimensional framework without recognition of the lack of unidimensional characteristics in children. (Author)

In accordance with theme of mini-series of articles in this journal issue, presents annotated bibliography of 17 articles and sections from books on the social functioning of individuals with learning disabilities. Entries are arranged alphabetically by author. (NB)

Considerable discussion has occurred about the most appropriate methods for diagnosing learning disabilities (LD) in postsecondary students. Two of the many areas of controversy that have emerged include the appropriate diagnostic criteria to use and the appropriate referent group. A review of previous court cases demonstrates that the issue of…

This study examined factors predictive of dropping out of high school for students with learning disabilities (LD) and mental retardation (MR). The sample was composed of 228 students with LD or MR who dropped out of school and 228 students with LD or MR who had not dropped out. Two sets of pre- dictor variables (student demographics and interview…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived high turnover of teachers working with pupils with severe and profound general learning disabilities in Ireland. Questionnaires and interviews were used to explore the situations in which teachers worked and their reasons for leaving or staying in teaching this group of pupils. The study…

The author analyzed the effects that Classwide Peer Tutoring (CWPT) had on the number of words in a spelling test that students with learning disabilities in reading and writing spelled correctly. By means of an ABAB design, she investigated using CWPT in relation to the amount of correctly spelled words. The results indicated that the number of…

Whilst solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) has become a widely used form of psychotherapy in the UK, there is little published writing on its use in services for people with learning disabilities. This article briefly discusses SFBT's potential uses with this client group, and provides by way of illustration a case example of its application…

Deliberate self-harm represents a significant, yet it can be argued, a poorly theorized area of concern with respect to women who have learning disabilities particularly in the context of secure service provision. Utilizing ideas from social constructionism we explore how some ways of understanding dominate the professional literature and,…

The present study evaluates the effect of a bereavement group for six people with learning disabilities. There was a significant increase in knowledge of the more concrete aspects of death and dying and in participants awareness of emotional, behavioural and physiological responses associated with grief, as measured by the Knowledge About Death…

This study entailed the implementation and evaluation of a Web-based technology designed to support the writing performance of fourth- and fifth-grade students with learning disabilities (LD). The technology, Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments on the Web (TELE-Web), was implemented in a resource room setting involving 12 students with LD in…

In response to Crockett's analysis of the relation of science and the instruction of students with learning disabilities, we discuss reasons why teaching in special education is infrequently affected by science and research, and we propose a model of naturalistic decision making and make recommendations for bridging the gap between research and…

School-level administrative support has been identified as an essential component of programs that promote research to practice. In this discussion, I address the critical role that school leaders play in supporting special educators and ensuring effective instruction for students with learning disabilities. Emphasis is placed on the need for…

The final session of the National Research Center on Learning Disabilities (NRCLD) Responsiveness-to-Intervention (RTI) Symposium, "What are alternative models to LD identification other than RTI?" included four papers that discussed concerns over the exclusive reliance on an RTI approach to learning disability identification, considerations for…

Objectives: Active support was implemented in three community houses (active support houses), with 11 service users with severe learning disabilities. Methods: This was evaluated with reference to changes in levels of engagement, challenging behaviour (major and minor) and staff contact, measured against three comparison services (non-active…

Students in Ginger Berninger's research studies "showed significant improvement in their reading and writing" after using these lessons--now available to teachers for the first time ever in one convenient book! A state-of-the-art set of lesson plans that can be used for differentiated instruction of students with dysgraphia, dyslexia, and OWL LD,…