This volume on the identification of learning disabilities (LD) offers chapters that provide comprehensive reviews of the research evidence underlying different aspects of LD and was the product of a 2001 general conference followed up by a small research forum. Contributors include researchers, parents, practitioners, and administrators. A final…

During the past several years, one of the most frequently addressed topics at conferences and in professional journals is responsiveness to intervention (RTI). This is because it is viewed by many as a new way to think about both early intervention and disability identification. Despite its relative newness, a subset of RTI proponents contend…

Best practices in the identification of the twice-exceptional point to the use of multidimensional assessment that outlines specific areas of strength and concern. Students who are twice-exceptional remain a misunderstood population in schools, thus making identification that much more difficult. The purpose of this study was to review the…

In view of new federal guidelines, a project sought to write a procedure for identifying disadvantaged, handicapped, and/or nontraditional students and set up a monitoring system in the Renton Vocational Technical Institute. A literature review showed no practical tracking system had been published. The identification procedure developed included…

This study analyzed diagnostic profiles of 151 children with disabilities receiving Head Start services. Three clinical clusters emerged which described the children along demographic, developmental/medical, family/home, and academic dimensions. Far more children with learning disabilities (26%) and serious emotional disturbances (29%) were…

Three types of definitions of learning disabilities (LD) (ability-achievement discrepancy, low achievement, and scatter) were examined to determine the extent of common variance within 48 school-identified LD children and 96 nonLD children (all elementary students). Both samples had previously been administered a battery of psychoeducational…

A study involving 48 school-identified learning disabled (LD) and 96 nonLD elementary students investigated the numbers of students identified by three kinds of LD definitions: ability-achievement discrepancy, low achievement, and scatter. Relationships between each definition and actual school classification were also examined. Data from a…

The exclusion of culturally disadvantaged students from the general classification of students with learning disabilities is questioned. (Author)

Discussed is early identification of children having special educational or developmental needs, with emphasis on the use of screening to identify the potential high risk learner. Terms are defined and criteria to help select a screening instrument are given. The Zeitlin Early Identification Screening (ZEIS) is described as an example of a…

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…

Presented at the ASHA-AMA 12th Annual Pre-Convention Session on School Health (Chicago, June 21, 1970), the paper discusses children who have a specific learning disability. Terminology is considered and specific learning disability defined. Attention is given to how the learning disabled child is different, the significance of statistical…

Current diagnostic and labeling practices were studied with 26 children with learning disabilities and other learning handicaps. (Author/DLS)

Modern Language Aptitude Test scores of regular students (N=244) enrolled in introductory foreign language classes were compared with their foreign language course performance. The fourth and fifth subtests predicted ability to learn a foreign language. Learning disabled (N=51) university students scored poorly on all five subtests. (DB)

In response to Hallahan et al, the authors suggest that variability in prevalence is a function of the methods used to examine prevalence differences and that the effect specific discrepancy criteria for learning disabilities have on the number of students identified is the critical issue. (Author/DB)

Results of surveying of 41 teachers who had experience with learning disability preassessment teams (intended to focus on regular classroom intervention prior to comprehensive evaluation) suggested that teachers were pleased with preassessment team members but did not agree that the teams' intervention recommendations were successful in correcting…