The study examined predictors of educational placement using the Personality Inventory for Children with 55 children previously identified as either learning disabled or nonhandicapped. Leading student characteristics predicting placement were (1) achievement; (2) adjustment; and (3) social incompetence, depression, defensiveness. (Author/DB)

Three studies evaluated the effectiveness of using verbatim text recordings to increase learning disabled high school students' reading comprehension and learning ability. Use of the recordings did produce performance gains, especially when used in conjunction with completion of a related worksheet. (DB)

When faculty at a small public university were asked if they would make 23 accommodations (instructional, assignment, and examination modifications) for learning disabled students, most were willing to make such adjustments. Only those adjustments which faculty felt differed significantly in degree from standards held for all students were…

Empirical, multivariate classification techniques were used to form subtypes of learning disabled readers (N=59) based on their performance on information processing tasks. A six-cluster solution with good internal validity was achieved with several subtype patterns tending to support hypotheses linking information processing deficits with reading…

The study investigated types of errors made by learning disabled children by analyzing written responses to multiplication and division problems. Error classifications are discussed, and possible causes are suggested. The importance of thorough investigation of errors by teachers is stressed. (Author/DB)

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised short-form procedures were used with 69 adolescents with slow school progress. The Satz-Mogel model was most effective in predicting the Full-Scale IQ. The Verbal IQ, Performance IQ, and selected five or six subtest combinations were also helpful predictors. Short-form procedures are inadequate for…

The relationship among IQs of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI), and Quick Test (QT) were investigated using 51 students (grades 2-8) with suspected learning problems. The subjects scored significantly higher on the TONI than on the WISC-R Verbal and Full Scales. (Author/VW)

The paper describes learning disability or reading disability in terms of deficiencies in processing information. An integrated view of intelligence as cognitive processing is offered followed by a demonstration of how tests of information processing have successfully revealed strengths and weakness of cognitive processes relating to reading.…

Examined utility of probability statistics to determine optimal symptoms for making differential diagnosis among childhood attention deficit and conduct disorders. Assessed positive and negative predictive power (symptom presence or absence) in psychiatric interviews of 76 clinic-referred boys. Some symptoms proved optimal as inclusion criteria,…

A psychotherapist suggests the use of a storytelling technique called "Creative Characters" to strengthen learning disabled children's cognitive and emotional functioning. The process of creating stories that represent key features of the child's world offers a means to strengthen both cognitive and emotional functioning, especially the…

The pilot study investigated receptive and expressive humor in students (total N=54) with learning disabilities, mild mental retardation, or no handicap. Among results were that older learning disabled students were more like mildly retarded students than normal peers; and that learning disabled students had more difficulty understanding…

Evaluation of reading-disabled children (N=57 and ages 6-11 years) found that socioeconomic status related significantly to achievement and intelligence but was not correlated with performance on neuropsychological tests. (DB)

Parents and teachers of 17 children (mean age 10.5 years) diagnosed as learning disabled were administered the Child Behavior Checklist. The results indicated that parents and teachers agreed with regard to externalizing type behavior. Parents' and teachers' disagreement was greatest for younger children when reporting internalizing type behavior.…

Spelling tricks for 35 sight words that can be used by learning disabled or regular classroom students are given. They include replacing silent or confusing letters with pictures to aid visual recall; locating a smaller, more familiar word in the longer word; and rhyming certain letter groups to related words. (VW)

A sample consisting of 216 high school special education students from 16 different Kentucky school systems who were either educable mentally retarded or learning disabled were administered a health knowledge test. Results are disclosed, and implications for health educators are discussed. (MT)