The mechanisms of both language-based and non-language-based learning disabilities are presented within the framework of central nervous system development and the compromises to that development that arise from genetic, hormonal, antibody, medication, and postnatal compromises. Also reviewed is the need for a taxonomy of learning disabilities.…

This article highlights the scientific contributions of nineteenth-century German researchers in describing neuropsychologic dysfunction and in conceptualizing and cerebrally localizing clinical syndromes associated with learning disabilities. Noted are contributions of Pierre Paul Broca, Carl Wernicke, Ludwig Lichtheim, Hugo Karl Liepmann, B.…

This introductory article briefly describes each of the following eight articles in this special issue on the neurology and genetics of learning related disorders. It notes the greater appreciation of learning disability as a set of complex disorders with broad and intricate neurological bases and of the large individual differences in how these…

Personality/behavioral characteristics of empirically derived subgroups of learning disabled (LD) children (8-11 years old) were examined. A modified Halstead-Reitan battery was administered to 56 LD Ss. Their parents completed personality/behavioral measures. Ss' scores on 13 neuropsychological measures were cluster analyzed, and three subgroups…

The study compared the Halstead-Reitan (H-R) neuropsychological test profiles of 25 normal, 47 learning disabled (LD) and 20 brain damaged (BD) young adults. Multivariate analyses indicated that the H-R battery could differentiate these groups beyond chance expectancy and that the neuropsychological deficits in LD performance are intermediate in…

Discussed are the role of the sensory integration specialist in diagnosing and treating various disorders of sensory integration. (DB)

The role of pharmacologic agents in the treatment of learning and behavior disorders in children is discussed with respect to the biological basis of these disorders. Illustrative studies dealing with autonomic reactivity and cortical excitability as reflected in the cortical evoked response are presented. The question of the combined effects of…

The author suggests that most research on the early detection of learning disabilities is characterisized by an ineffective and a theoretical method of selecting and validating tasks. An alternative technique is proposed, based on a neurological theory of cognitive processes, whereby task analysis is a first step, with empirical analyses as…

The author, a neurologist, looks at the nature of reading disabilities. He suggests that many reading disabilities are the result of normal constitutional differences and that the term "minimal brain dysfunction" is rarely appropriate and does not help the remediation process. Noted are various theories which relate neurology and reading ability.…

The article examines neuropsychological theories of behavior and considers their application to special education, with particular emphasis on learning disabilties. Among problems involved with the approach are difficulties communicating educationally relevant data and confusion over the validity and utility of the neuropsychological approach. (CL)

Mirror-imaging of letter shapes and reversals of whole words when read or written are defined and explanations are given as to why children tend to make these mistakes. (KW)

Despite several decades of research suggesting the importance of both genetic and environmental factors, these findings are not well integrated into the larger educational literature. Following a discussion of quantitative and molecular genetic methods, this article reviews behavioral genetic findings related to cognitive and academic skills. This…

The report covers a series of investigations on the effects of biofeedback/muscle relaxation training on the academic achievement of learning disabled (LD) students. In the first study, 32 LD elementary school students made gains in all measures except arithmetic following electromyograph biofeedback/relaxation treatment. Implementation of the…

The article proposes a dynamic-developmental-interaction approach to individuals with learning disabilities (LD) which addresses the absence of certain fundamental ego skills. Emotional conomitants to LD (such as low frustration tolerance and overcompensation) are noted, and intervention techniques based on the dynamic-developmental interaction…