The history of difficulties with definitions of learning disabilities (LD) is reviewed and the definition proposed by the National Joint Committee for Learning Disabilities is described. LD is seen as a generic term referring to a heterogeneous group of disorders presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction. (CL)

The author suggests an intellectual approach to teaching learning handicapped students to write. The effectiveness of the developmental writing approach is supported by a study in which teachers were trained according to five propositions, including that all writing is thoughtful, and that writing is concerned with content. (CL)

Ten suggestions for improving the social skills of learning disabled students include teaching the child to make eye contact while talking, explaining implications of voice qualities, role playing to examine emotions, and providing direct instruction on appropriate responses in social situations. (CL)

The role of visual imagery is explored as an information processing strategy, and its relationship is counterpointed to the linguistic system. The importance of visual imagery as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool to aid both visual and nonvisual performance and learning problems is discussed. (Author)

The literature relating visual problems, reading, and academic difficulties with neurophysiological mechanisms shows positive interaction among these factors. Both visual-evoked response and encephalographic studies show parietal or occipitoparietal neurophysiological anomalies which can be used to discriminate between normal and disabled readers…

The Canter Background Interference Procedure of the Bender Gestalt Test and the Quick Neurological Screening Test were found to discriminate neurological/organic signs in 23 adolescent learning disabled students. Methodological problems, research needs, and implications for the use of these tests are discussed. (Author)

Two studies--one involving 59 nonproblem elementary age children and the other involving 77 learning and behavior problem children (7 to 16 years old)--focusing on differential effects of strategies to enhance motivation are reported. (Author/SB)

The role of memory problems in the attentional difficulties of learning disabled children is examined, and the existence of control processing inefficiencies related to memory problems is suggested. Three intervention approaches--reinforcement programs, direct instruction in efficient processing behaviors, and use of orienting tasks to induce…

The study investigated self-reported causes of stress of specific learning disabilities (SLD) teachers. Six job related factors of stress were identified by a majority of the 173 Florida Ss surveyed. (Author)

The study examined changes over 3 years in self-esteem and perception of ability in 75 children in regular classes and special education classes. Findings indicated that 68 learning disabled or educable retarded children in special education classes experienced greater gains in self-esteem and perception of ability scores than Ss in regular…

Thirty learning disabled children were randomly assigned to two conditions focusing on sentence comprehension: a sentence anagram/word grouping treatment and a more traditional sentence study treatment. Subjects in the sentence anagram/word grouping condition had significantly higher cloze scores. (Author/BW)

The study investigated the prevalence of middle ear effusion (conductive hearing loss) in 32 school aged children found to have auditory learning disabilities. Results indicated a systematic relationship between auditory learning disability and middle ear effusion. (DB)

A follow-up study of 10 pupils five to six years after their enrollment in a special learning disabilities (LD) program is reported. The results suggest that substantial academic deficits in the elementary grades do not preclude successful high school experiences for LD pupils. (Author)

Students aged 7 to 12 years, identified as either learning disabled (N=295) or normal (N=515), were rated by their teachers on the Behavior Problem Checklist. Ratings revealed that school behavior problems varied by sex and pupil category, and that learning disabled Ss showed significantly greater maladjustment than normal Ss on the Personality…

The Immediate Reinforcement and Remediation (IRR) method is advocated as a systematic approach to aid in the success of mainstreamed elementary slow learning and learning disabled students. IRR allows the resource room teacher to followup on identified critical lessons using different materials and aids. (CL)