The article examines some of the reasons for prejudicial attitudes toward students with learning disabilities and provides strategies for addressing the problem. Included are specific experiential activities to illustrate components of a comprehensive disability awareness program. (Author/DB)

Discusses the environmental and constitutional factors of learning and behavioral problems in school children, and suggests an approach for management. Proposes an expanded role for the medical practitioner in assessment and management. (RJC)

Summarizes role of language deficiencies in reading disability, focusing on two areas that appear critical to reading skill: language processing abilities and the awareness of phonological structure. Shows distinguishing characteristics of disabled readers to be consistent with theoretical and experimental findings about skilled reading, and to…

Discusses various problems in preschool screening for learning disabilities. Reviews studies which show that, in spite of such problems, early identification of learning disabilities is a viable process. Examines advances in reading theory and research which point to new variables that may enhance the predictive power of early screening devices…

Fourteen upper elementary-aged learning-disabled (LD) students were trained on referential communication tasks, then compared to an LD control group and a normally achieving training group. The LD trained group achieved significantly higher scores than did the control group on two speaking tasks, but did not perform differently on the listening…

The overview focuses on the advantages and principles of instruction using learning strategies for students with learning disabilities. It is emphasized that strategies are not to be applied without consideration of the individual, process, or context. (MSE)

A metacognition model that can help understand general problem-solving deficits in learning disabled students is presented. Two components of metacognition are highlighted: executive processes and attributional beliefs. An educational package combining these components with specific strategy training is illustrated as an approach to improving…

Encouraging learning-disabled adolescents to find their own successful style of learning requires: (1) breaking down preconceptions about education; (2) breaking down preconceptions about self; and (3) reinforcing such principles as individual responsibility for choices. (DB)

Analyzed diagnostic problem-solving behavior of expert practitioners in learning disabilities field. Performed log sequence analysis on thinking-aloud protocols of reading experts (N=17) assessing two randomly assigned pupils with reading and spelling problems. Found: (1) information gathering by experts not guided by theory; (2) much information…

A research project on computer applications for special education determined the needs of caregivers (teachers or parents), clients (persons with severe learning disabilities), and staff. Results were used to develop the Living and Learning Weekend, during which caregivers were trained in the use of educational software for persons with…

To investigate the relationship between achievement and intelligence quotient (IQ) in the learning-disabled (LD) population, changes in IQ scores of 49 LD students from early elementary grades to high school grades were correlated with variety of achievement scores. Results suggest that underachievement of LD students plays a predominant causal…

Compared z-score discrepancy and regression procedure for determining severe discrepancy between ability and achievement among 236 learning-disabled (LD) referrals. Contrasted results with policy dictating that lowest achieving of referrals be considered LD. Evaluated each student with individual intelligence scale and achievement test. Results…

Reviews two tests which highlight important trends in the assessment of learning disabilities, and presents potentially valuable, practical developments in assessment. Identifies the recurring problem of the lack of a theory, construct, or clear definition to guide the assessment of learning disabilities. (MG)

Research articles published in 10 major journals during the years 1984-1987 were evaluated to determine how many satisfied the recommendations of the Council for Learning Disabilities' Research Committee on reporting subject data. Only 4 of the 277 articles included acceptable information in 7 recommended areas of subject data. (Author/JDD)

This paper examines the complexities of written language in terms of both its mechanical and creative skills. It discusses four approaches to providing assistance to writers with learning disabilities, including rule and skill instruction, substantive facilitation, procedural facilitation, and self-instructional strategy training; and recommends a…