This doctoral dissertation uses radical socioeducational analysis (RSA) to examine the development of special education in the United States, with special emphasis given to the development of the concept of learning disabilities. In the first chapter, the RSA method is described. Also included is a review of literature regarding various social…

A study investigated the existence of language disorders among 290 "high risk" middle school students (grades five through nine) in five selected Florida school districts. "High risk" students were defined as those students experiencing academic difficulties in whom language deficits would be suspected. Students from the…

A classroom-oriented therapeutic program was devised for four pragmatically impaired preschoolers who showed little spontaneous language use within the classroom. Intervention strategies focused on facilitating interactions during free play and were based on four principles for practitioners: be child-oriented; engineer the environment; use…

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program on the self-concept of mainstreamed, mildly handicapped fifth-grade students (labeled learning disabled, emotionally conflicted, and educable mentally retarded) attending 13 different elementary schools in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. A control group…

Two groups of learning disabled (LD) secondary school students (ages 16-18) were studied to determine if such factors as levels of intelligence and achievement contribute to success in high school. The first group of students (N=10) were sophomores enrolled in special education resource classes for one period each day and were addressing Louisiana…

The paper, originally given at a 1986 Ethnic and Multicultural Symposium, examines implications of research on assessment procedures for limited-English-proficient (LEP) handicapped students. The discussion includes a report on a longitudinal study to identify techniques that effectively distinguish between LEP students who are handicapped and…

Microcomputer software can provide excellent drill and practice, simulations, and problem-solving. Yet, software developers often have designed elaborate graphics and unique characters in lieu of sound instructional programming. Many instructional programs for learning-disabled students do not provide appropriate reading levels, the opportunity to…

This study examined the extent to which categorical differences exist in the instructional environment for students with mild handicaps. Subjects were 30 learning-disabled, 32 emotionally/behaviorally disturbed, 30 educable mentally retarded, and 30 nonhandicapped students in grades 2-4. Twenty-four special education teachers and 54 regular…

A weekly group-counseling session is used with students having a range of mental and emotional disabilities in order to improve awareness and sharing of emotions, increase the repertoire of feeling words, increase listening ability, and develop empathy. Six groups composed of five to seven students each are involved, with students ranging in age…

A total of 42 language-deficient second- through fourth-grade children participated in an experiment investigating the effects on children's skills and self-efficacy of strategy self-verbalization during listening comprehension instruction. An equal number of boys and girls who had been placed in remedial classes received didactic instruction in…

The legitimacy of using the criterion of low reading achievement in the study of learning and memory skills with learning disabled children was assessed, based on a comparison of 35 nondisabled students, 15 low readers, and 10 learning disabled high school students. Learning disabilities were defined as encompassing perceptual and/or processing…

Attentional processes are said to be central to children's academic learning, yet theories of attention may not be useful in defining and measuring such learning. A formal survey of 35 preschool teachers indicated that teacher definitions were either vague and intuitive, based on many observable child behaviors (like eye orientation and being…

A learning disability is seen as the outcome of a network of forces that include neurophysical, emotional, familial, organizational, political, social, historical, and technological cases. Options for research and development are based on this integrative view, and both "hard" and "soft" technologies must be considered. "Hard" technology refers to…

Compiled from papers presented at the annual Reading/Special Education Institute at Fordham University, this collection of essays addresses reading problems of special education students. The book is divided into three sections. The first section covers reading assessment and reading intervention; section 2 addresses the specific learner and the…

The paper suggests appropriate activities for teaching learning disabled fourth graders in a regular class the concepts of geographical latitude and longitude. Application of the learning principles identified in a review of the literature suggests the need to include visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile activities of benefit to the entire…