An intermediate grade music teacher describes how a learning disabled child with problems ranging from fine motor coordination to right/left orientation difficulty turned out to be a fine clarinetist with a fantastic ability to memorize music. (RM)

Using the Classroom Behavior Inventory, teachers rated the behaviors of 63 school-identified, learning-disabled first and second graders. Hierarchical cluster analysis techniques identified seven distinct behavioral subtypes. Internal validation techniques indicated that the subtypes were replicable and had profile patterns different from a sample…

Investigates the extent to which learning disabled readers' atypical encoding relates to their deficiencies in semantic memory by comparing learning disabled and nondisabled readers in two age groups on dichotic listening tasks that included orienting and nonorienting instructions. (HOD)

Issues and needs identified in a 1984 survey of professionals in the field of learning disabilities are summarized and grouped as follows: (1) theory and research; (2) practice and related applied research (subtyping, differential programming, intervention focus, efficacy, and prevention/early intervention); (3) training (including categorical…

Sociometric and activity questionnaires were administered using a sample of 28 learning disabled (LD) boys (ages 6-13) enrolled in private school. Results suggested that the LD population is sociometrically heterogeneous. Popularity was found to be significantly related to informal get-togethers with friends, but not to levels of participation in…

In the early 1960s, four special education categories (slow learners, mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, and culturally deprived) were used to explain the failure of lower class and minority children, while the less stigmatizing category of learning disabilities explained the failures of white middle class children. Later events changed the…

Learning disabled and behaviorally disordered third and fourth grade students were taught test taking skills such as attending to appropriate stimuli, marking answers carefully, using time well, and avoiding errors. These students scored significantly higher than their untrained peers on the Word Study Skills subtest of the Stanford Achievement…

Reading and writing assessment which focuses on fragmented, isolated skills provides little information about how children actually read and write. An holistic alternative, the systematic observation of children's reading and writing behavior as they occur in natural settings, is discussed. (Author/CB)

There is a significant need for trained personnel to develop, implement, and evaluate college programs for the increasing numbers of college students with learning disabilities. As programs develop, the input of special education faculty should be solicited to help address the research, technical assistance, and personnel preparation needs of…

The Computer Aptitude, Literacy, and Interest Profile (CALIP) is a standardized test battery with six subtests designed to assess computer-related abilities of individuals between 12 and 60 years old. The CALIP was developed to assess computer-related aptitudes of younger or inexperienced populations, including talented minority persons and…

The study found that Hispanic students were overrepresented in approximately one fourth of the California districts in mental retardation (MR), speech impairment, and specific learning disability (SLD) classes. Black students were overrepresented in MR and speech programs in one fourth of the districts and in SLD programs in two-thirds of the…

A test of whether metacognition is a separate factor from cognition was conducted by measuring the effects of metacognitive factors in problem solving, while attempting to hold relevant cognitive factors constant. Learning disabled subjects were less skilled in metacognition with respect to knowledge about cognition and regulation of cognition.…

Examines analysis of cohesion as an index of both social and cognitive factors. Oral language of reading disabled was studied and found to indicate some difficulties of the subjects when dealing with information under special social and cognitive conditions. (DF)

In a survey of resource room teachers (N=101) of learning disabled and mildly retarded students, mathematics instruction occupied about one-third of the average resource room teacher's teaching time. Although Ss reported considerable college coursework in mathematics and mathematics instructional methods, they felt inadequate at several…

Describes a study of the status of special needs services provided at community colleges, focusing on the contract method of funding. Examines the effect of administrative structure on delivery of services, the types of services being offered, and demands for additional information about services to special needs populations. Offers…