The present study examines associations between learning difficulties (LD), academic emotions, and academic achievement among 845 Grade 6 adolescents (455 girls, 390 boys). Reading difficulties (RD) and math difficulties (MD) were identified based on tested reading and math skills in the fall semester of Grade 6. At this time, the students also…

Learning problems (LP) can have wider implications than the academic deficits per se. The goal of the present series of studies was to develop a reliable and valid quality-of-life measure targeted to children and adolescents with LP. In Study 1, using a 35-item questionnaire, we surveyed 151 parents/guardians of children referred for assessment of…

In this longitudinal study, we investigated the role of word reading and mathematical difficulties measured in 9th grade as factors for receiving educational support for learning in upper secondary education in Grades 10 to 12 (from ages 16 to 19) and furthermore as predictors of dropout from upper secondary education within 5 years after…

Scores of 24 children with constitutional short stature on intellectual, academic, and visual motor functioning were compared to those of 23 subjects with normal height for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Contrary to conclusions of uncontrolled studies, data showed short and control groups to be comparable on all variables. (Author/CL)

This article advocates an approach to supporting students who experience difficulties in learning, irrespective of nosology, particularly in the key areas of literacy and numeracy. In the state of Queensland, Australia, a distinction has been made between students' experiencing learning difficulties and those who have learning disabilities (LD).…

"QuickSmart" is a basic academic skills intervention designed for persistently low-achieving students in the middle years of schooling that aims to improve the automaticity of basic skills to improve higher-order processes, such as problem solving and comprehension, as measured on standardized tests. The "QuickSmart" instructional program consists…

Research relating to drug effects on academic attainment in children with pronounced learning problems is reviewed. Laboratory studies on the use of stimulants, antidepressants, and antipsychotics are surveyed. Problems with diagnosis are considered and the relationship of drugs and learning disabilities is discussed. (PHR)

Examination of the relationship between educational attainment and long-lasting, bilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) in 270 Dutch children (ages 2 to 4) found that, at age 7, early bilateral OME affected spelling ability but not reading ability. Effects of treatment with ventilation tubes were not found. (DB)

This study of 570 children (age 9) in the Netherlands found that the presence and severity of minor neurological dysfunction was significantly related to poor performance on standardized reading, spelling, and arithmetic tests and to a lesser extent was related to ratings of distractible behavior. (Author/JDD)

Assessment at age seven of 17 very low birthweight (VLBW) children who had chronic lung disease (CLD) at birth and 28 VLBW children without CLD found that, although CLD did not appear to confer much added risk to health, it did seem to add significantly to risks for poor school performance that are known to be associated with very low…