Though music educators work with students who have a special learning need or a gifted ability on a daily basis, encountering a student who has both can be unexpected. The literature presented here can be used as a basis for information pertaining to terminology, studies and theories that attempt to explain the savant syndrome, how to identify it,…

Overrepresentation of Dual Language Learners (DLLs) in special education remains a problem even after 40 years of inquiry. One factor is that the U.S. federal government has neither clearly explained the definition of Specific Learning Disability (SLD) nor operationally defined it to identify children for special education services. This lack of…

Decades before educators began to draw teaching and learning implications from neuroscientists' groundbreaking findings on brain plasticity, Reuven Feuerstein had already theorized it and developed practices for teaching and developing higher-level cognition and learning for all students, including those with Down syndrome and other learning…

Educators today are challenged with the task of designing curricula and standards for students of varying abilities. While technology and innovation steadily improve classroom learning, teachers and administrators continue to struggle in developing the best methodologies and practices for students with disabilities. "Models for Effective…

This paper addresses how and why the musical intelligence can be used to aid students in the learning process. It explores the brain research, several short vignettes and an informal case study. Conceptually, the author suggests that music can and should be used to help students learn and retain curricular content, may be matched to tasks in…

Describes how a third-grade teacher worked with a child in her class who had attention deficit disorder. The child was easily distracted and frustrated and had low self-esteem. The teacher's sensitivity to his ups and downs and her flexibility in modifying lessons helped the child succeed. (SM)

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)

Four successful Connecticut projects which nurtured the special abilities of gifted learning-disabled children are summarized. Case studies illustrate components of the programs crucial to their success. These components include development of alternate modes for thinking and communicating; unique identification strategies; highly motivating…

The resilience that individuals who have learning disabilities can demonstrate is highlighted through a case study. Examples from a student's description of his school history illuminate resilience themes. The article culminates in a list of things teachers can do to instill resilience in their students. (Author/CR)

A case study of an eight-year-old boy with learning disabilities illustrates a cognitive approach to assessing and remedying numeral-writing difficulties. Discussed are the sources of writing difficulty, assessing and fostering an accurate mental image, and constructing an accurate motor plan. Successful remediation resulted from nine five-minute…

A case study illustrates the transition process of a girl with learning disabilities over a three-year period, describing experiences in graduating from high school and proceeding to community college. Specific transition objectives, personalized counseling, and individual accommodations are discussed, with secondary and postsecondary examples.…

Three students who are both gifted and learning disabled are described, and the importance of identifying these students and meeting their special needs is stressed. Parents and educators are urged to inform themselves of the characteristics and special needs of such students, to provide support and guidance, and to teach strategies to circumvent…

This article presents a rationale and strategies for providing individualized transition planning for learning-disabled students preparing for postsecondary programs. The article stresses planning and goal setting, academic preparation, personal/social skill development, and student followup. Two case studies illustrate the strategies. (DB)

This article presents the techniques of a special education teacher who practiced effective scaffolded instruction. A case study illustrates use of scaffolded instruction to break the failure cycle and such techniques as establishing a shared goal, actively diagnosing the learner's understandings and needs, providing tailored assistance, giving…

This in-service manual for administrators and faculty at South Seattle Community College (SSCC) offers information on learning disabilities and describes the college's programs for learning disabled (LD) students. The first sections present legal and professional definitions of learning disabilities; briefly consider such causes of learning…