The author of "The Learning Mystique: A Critical Look at Learning Disabilities," responds to critical and supportive reactions (EC 220 147-152) concerning the relevance of cited issues, the role of language, heritability, scientific criteria, poor reading versus true dyslexia, and the promise of his proposed interactivity theory. (DB)

A study using a computerized educational adventure game with children with severe learning disabilities validated the use of such materials within the developmental curriculum. It is suggested that use of mainstream software may help children with disabilities by replacing teacher expectations with expectations associated with normalcy. (MSE)

The development and use of educational software for children with severe learning problems are described. The software deals with common conceptual, communicative, and problem-solving problems in this population. It is argued that appropriately structured computer-mediated interaction can result in development and expression of cognitive skills…

Six language-impaired children, aged 4-7, were studied in two routinized contexts (a lesson without music and a singing session) and child-teacher talk was analyzed. Results showed that the addition of music to a routinized context has the potential to increase the language-impaired child's ability to interact non-verbally. (Author/JDD)

Compared Stanford-Binet (Fourth Edition) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised as instruments for assessing the intellectual strengths and weaknesses of students (N=35) classified as learning disabled in elementary and secondary grades. Results suggest the tests will yield similar intelligence quotients for the learning disabled…

This research was designed to document the ability of Down's Syndrome children aged 5-10 to perform equivalence tasks, and to investigate possible relationships between such performance and the presence of certain potentially confounding task variables. (MNS)

Examination of 30 mildly handicapped and 30 average high school students revealed that regular education students were more likely than special education students to be seriously involved in activities outside of schools. Sex differences were noted. Nonacademic activities provide an alternative path to achievement and self-esteem for low academic…

This article describes the results of a survey of Alabama special education teacher educators, school superintendents, special education coordinators, and noncategorically certified teachers five years after implementation of a mild learning-handicaps teaching certificate in the state, and relates the findings to national reports on this topic.…

This article briefly reviews problem-solving deficits in learning-disabled adolescents; describes decision stories; and explores how they can be used to make students more active, problem-solving learners. Three decision stories are presented to demonstrate their potential for helping students approach and/or solve academic and social problems.…

Many postsecondary students who request academic accommodations for learning disabilities actually show no documentable learning disability but a discrepancy between their intellectual ability and their achievement aspirations (i.e., a "yearning disability") rather than a discrepancy between their ability and achievement (i.e., a…

Thirty-four adolescents with learning disabilities received either spelling strategy training, spelling strategy plus attribution training, or a control condition. Significant differences in spelling recall scores favored the strategy training condition. Addition of the attribution training resulted in no observable improvement in spelling…

Guidelines for involving students with learning disabilities in classroom literature circles include demonstrating literature discussion, introducing and forming the circles, modifying requirements for students with low reading abilities, building group skills, managing group discussion, and having students keep response journals. (DB)

This article explains how to use constant time delay to teach multiplication facts to students who have learning disabilities. Specific techniques for using time delay on an individual or small group basis are outlined, a sample student data sheet is presented, and the role of reinforcement is addressed. (Author/JDD)

Characteristics of secondary students with a learning disability in reading are reviewed, and the stages of reading development are outlined. Strategies for academic and social inclusion of these students are discussed, including peer tutoring, guided notes, cooperative learning, learning strategies, and teaching reading in the content area. (JDD)

Nine junior high school students with learning disabilities received instruction in story grammar elements and character development. Over a two-month period, students significantly increased the amount they wrote and mildly to moderately increased the quality of the stories produced and the number of internal responses and plans of characters.…