Factors related to the assessment of learning disabled adolescents include their failure patterns, curriculum and social demands, and institutional factors. Assessment should focus on cognitive, affective, and institutional aspects. Informal assessment approaches can include interviews, observation, and trial teaching. (CL)

The author defines stimulus control (using responses and skills which have been previously acquired) and suggests that it is of critical importance in the instructional process with learning disabled students. Research on variables of attention and time on-task is reviewed. (CL)

Data do not support the findings of previous studies on the sociometric status of handicapped children in the regular classroom; i.e., LD children would rate significantly lower in terms of popularity than their peers who are non-LD. (Author)

The responses of 20 learning disabled (LD) and 20 normal children (9 to 11 years old) to a social inference task were compared. The LD children showed deficits in interpretation of the situation and determining consequences. No differences were found between groups in determining antecedents. (Author)

In the article the major principles of a whole language approach are identified and discussed as they may be applied with learning disabled (LD) children. Theoretical assumptions and specific educational practices are described, with recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of whole language programs for LD children. For related…

Guidelines for developing a structured parent tutoring program for learning disabled students are given. Among the eight suggestions made are to keep the tutoring simple and brief and to encourage maintaining a visual record of the child's progress. (CL)

A report of a counseling session with parents of a 9-year-old behaviorally and learning disabled boy is presented to illustrate the role of a consultant in mediating parent/school differences. (PHR)

Learning disabled (LD) and nondisabled (ND) students (N=128) at four grade levels (1, 3, 5, and 7) were compared on 10 measures of figural and verbal creativity. Originality was greater for the LD children at all grade levels, while elaboration was greater for the ND children at all grade levels. (Author/PHR)

The author points out the dangers of misusing identified special talents in learning disabled students, mentions research findings on the creative abilities of the learning disabled, and considers the possibility of two modes of learning for the gifted learning disabled. (SBH)

The article looks at primitive counting techniques and suggests a systematic set of diagnostic activities for teaching young learning disabled children to count. (SBH)

Two 9-year-old boys are described who performed in the normal range on measures of IQ, language ability, and reading. The boys were unable, however, to acquire elementary numerical skills and also manifested other specific cognitive deficits associated with the Gerstmann syndrome. (Author)

The author asserts that superintendent's leadership behavior, more than any other factor, determines the character and quality of the instructional programs provided for learning and language disabled students. (Author)

Explanations and remediation suggestions for five types of mathematics errors due either to perceptual or cognitive difficulties are given. Error types include directionality problems, mirror writing, visually misperceived signs, diagnosed directionality problems, and mixed process errors. (CL)

An approach to prekindergarten screening of learning disabled students is explained to probe six areas of development: gross motor, perceptual motor, auditory perceptual, speech and language, visual motor, and social/emotional. (CL)

The author considers the future of learning disabilities, particularly in relation to mainstreaming, the perceptual deficit hypothesis, and the psychoneurology of learning. (SBH)