Examined long-term predictive validity of Learning Disabilities Index (LDI) as it relates to achievement outcomes for learning-disabled children. Results indicated that successive LDI scores at ages 7, 10, and 13 were capable of differentiating among children who had been identified as good, moderate, and poor outcome groups at age 13. (Author/NB)

Thirty-five learning-disabled readers (mean age 10) and 43 controls were compared on a sentence span task and on recall of everyday features, consequential events, and misleading information. Results indicated that subjects were deficient on working memory and naturalistic measures, but their naturalistic memory deficits did not appear to relate…

Sixteen language learning-disabled adolescents were able to provide fewer correct metaphor interpretations than 16 normally achieving adolescents. For both groups, metaphors were easier to interpret by paraphrase selection than by verbal explanation, and perceptual metaphors were easier to interpret than psychological metaphors. (Author/JDD)

Application of a quantitative and qualitative error classification system to the spelling errors of 21 learning-disabled (LD) and 21 non-learning-disabled (NLD) matched college students found LD subjects exhibited a significantly greater total spelling error rate and percentage. Differences were also found on qualitative spelling variables for…

Uses the language experience approach with a state driver's manual to teach disabled adolescent readers and educable mentally retarded students. (RS)

Describes the transition services offered by Lakeshore Technical College as part of its model program to serve students with learning disabilities. Discusses program goals, program development, support services, and program evaluation. (JOW)

Examined the concurrent validity of the composite and area scores of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition (SBIV) and the Mental Processing Composite and global scale scores of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children in Black, learning-disabled elementary school students (N=30). Findings demonstrated adequate concurrent…

Reviews genetic influences on learning disabilities, discussing recent advances in molecular genetics that have made linkage analysis a more powerful tool for studying the genetics of behavioral phenotypes. Also examines what is known about genetic influences in two familial disorders, developmental dyslexia and Tourette syndrome. (Author/NB)

Responds to letters from readers in response to recent "Research" columns. Deals with the issues of learning disabilities, whole language approach, the "skills" perspective, junk food textbooks, and punctuation. (RS)

Criticisms of traditional approaches to the assessment of student abilities and instructional program design are reviewed and alternative, dynamic approaches are suggested. A major feature of the suggested approaches is assistance to influence student performance and thus reveal the potential for change. The approaches are categorized and examined…

Administered Woodcock Language Proficiency Battery (WLPB) to 18 learning-disabled adolescents from culturally variant population in rural southern Louisiana and to matched group of normal achievers. Found group status to have significant effect on cluster scores. Results suggest that WLPB may be useful for culturally diverse students when…

Discusses the Xerox/Kurzweil Personal Reader which is an advanced optical scanner that reads a greater range of typeset or typewritten text than its predecessors, and converts it into highly naturalistic speech. (MG)

Experimental studies and clinical observations have indicated that right-hemisphere lesions produce impulsive talkative behavior. An exploratory study was conducted to investigate whether right-cerebral dysfunction would be evident in the intelligence test scores of talkative students with learning disabilities. The study with 28 children (ages…

Compared Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) tests and retest scores for 322 learning disabled children over three years for factor structure and structure stability. Results suggest that WISC-R factor structure was stable over three years. Coefficients of congruence indicated factorial similarity between groups of Black and…

Comparison of scores on the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised of 67 students (ages 6-12) referred for possible learning disabilities found strong relationships among all the global standard scores on both instruments with different score patterns for those with severe disabilities.…