Presents two subtypes of learning disabilities (LD) to illustrate hypotheses relating to psychosocial functioning of children with LD: that LD subtypes are manifestations of basic neuropsychological deficits; that subtypes may lead to problems in academic and/or psychosocial functioning; and that relationship between neuropsychological deficits,…

A survey of 266 community health nurses specializing in learning disabilities found that 82.9% felt inadequately prepared to support parents with learning disabilities. There was little coverage of parenting topics in their coursework and subsequent training. (SK)

Discusses utility of individual ability measures for diagnostic and treatment decisions with children and youth who are referred in educational settings due to learning and/or behavior problems. Concludes that utility of current individual measures of ability in school psychology is low for diagnostic and treatment decisions. (Author/JDM)

Questions the validity of current reductionist assumptions concerning learning differences and proposes a new science of life based on dynamic, transforming, hierarchically organized systems of energy. This view of cognition is related to Piaget's insights, which are extended to include a view of learning differences consistent with these…

Study examined ability of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) children with and without learning disability to perceive nonverbal social cues. ADHD/LD children demonstrated significant difficulty in comparison to their peers in effectively perceiving paralanguage cues. This group also showed significant improvement on the Postures and…

Describes the program developed at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, to promote the academic and workplace success and social and emotional adjustment of students with learning disabilities. Presents details of the evaluation planned for this program, emphasizing the importance of flexibility. (SLD)

This article introduces a special issue on the double-deficit hypothesis for dyslexic readers' failure to acquire adequate word recognition skills. This theory suggests that dyslexic readers have a deficit in naming speed in addition to the more widely recognized deficit in phonological decoding skill. (Contains references.) (DB)

Discusses how to expand the spelling vocabularies of students with learning disabilities, improve dictionary skills, instill a desire to spell words correctly, and perfect the abilities of students to detect and correct spelling errors. The methods used for junior high students with learning disabilities are described. (CR)

The central auditory processing (CAP) abilities of 52 low-achieving gifted high school students were measured and compared to matching groups of achieving gifted students, average students, and students with learning disabilities. Results indicated significant CAP deficits in the low-achieving gifted group that were similar to those of the…

Proposes a model of adult development as the foundation for instruction and training of adults with learning disabilities. Presents the interrelationships and application of Malcolm Knowles' model to adults with learning disabilities along with specific examples applicable to special and vocational educators. (Contains 43 references.) (JOW)

Discusses identity formation and self-concept of people with learning disabilities and reports results of a survey of personal Web home pages written by people with Down Syndrome. Investigates the extent to which they use the pages to accept or deny membership of the Down Syndrome group identity. (Author/LRW)

Discusses issues inherent in the four meta-analyses of instructional interventions for students with learning disabilities conducted by Gersten and Baker, MacArthur et al; Elbaum and Vaughn, and Swanson. Considers the effects of meta-analyses in general on practice, the effect of including studies that do not meet methodological criteria, and…

Students aged 10-12, with and without learning disabilities, acquired knowledge implicitly about pseudoword pronunciation governed by one of two phonics rules. They were then asked to verbalize explicitly about the acquired knowledge. Students did not differ significantly in implicit knowledge capabilities, but student with and without learning…

The Directed Spelling Thinking Activity (DSTA) is a method of teaching spelling to students with learning disabilities by encouraging active thinking and analysis of word patterns. With DSTA, students compare and contrast words that fit different but related spelling patterns. Words illustrating 37 spelling patterns are listed. (Author/DB)

Discusses the Human Genome Project and the identification of Fragile X Syndrome, the most common inherited cause of mental retardation. Fragile X Syndrome is caused by an abnormal gene on the bottom of the X chromosome. Examined the phenotype of Fragile X Syndrome in males and females and the spectrum of learning difficulties caused by the…