Narrative abilities of 24 learning disabled (LD) and 27 nondisabled children (ages 7-12.5 years) were compared. Although LD students were able to reconstruct stories as well as were nondisabled students, narrative analysis of both original and retold stories can provide useful information on language skills beyond the sentence level. (Author/DB)

Self-concept and attributions made about academic successes and failures were compared in 46 students with learning disabilities and 47 normally achieving students (mean age 12 years). Attributions regarding internal versus external causes for successes and failures and stable (ability) versus unstable (effort) causes for failures did not…

Adaptive behavior, problem behavior, and self-perception of behavior of 54 learning-disabled (LD) elementary grade children and 54 non-LD children were compared, and mainstream teachers' perceptions of adaptive behavior were correlated with students' self-perceptions. Findings indicated LD students demonstrated less desirable adaptive behavior,…

Suggests that reciprocal teaching (interaction of novices and experts in explicit, overt demonstrations of strategy use) is a successful way of increasing comprehension scores of students. Outlines the theoretical underpinnings of reciprocal teaching and reviews research examining its effects on comprehension disabled subjects. (MM)

A computer software graphics/text program was used with a group of behavior-disordered and learning-disabled students (ages 10-13) to design and produce Christmas cards and related print products as a class project. Sample lesson plans and products, as well as sample order forms and price lists, are given. (JW)

Issues and developmental considerations in outcome and treatment of head injury in children are considered. Focus is on appropriate assessment practices in the areas of psychoeducational development, motor and cognitive deficits, and neuropsychological deficits. (Author/DB)

A kitchen timer, three-minute egg timer, and individual clocks made from paper plates were used to teach time management strategies to learning disabled elementary school students in a resource room. Their attention span increased, work habits improved, and there was less frustration for both teacher and students. (VW)

The article describes use of dialogue journals (in which teacher and student communicate privately in writing) to improve the writing of learning disabled students. Dialogue journals provide a means for students to use reading and writing in meaningful, purposeful ways. (DB)

Five formulas for identifying discrepancies for eligibility as learning disabled (LD) were applied to 137 children (ages 6-14) already diagnosed as LD. Among results cited was that 64 percent were not identified as LD by any formula. Issues concerning the use of discrepancy formulas for LD screening are discussed. (Author/JW)

Based on frequency of citations in the Social Science Citation Index, 33 prominent articles on learning disabilities (1976 to 1985) were compared with randomly selected articles in 16 categories, including funding source, research design, and statistical method. Discussion focuses on characteristics and quality of articles influencing the learning…

In two experiments, the importance of mnemonic illustrations for improving the learning and memory performance of learning disabled adolescents was studied. Results showed that students learned more when they studied passages with mnemonic pictures and that mnemonic instruction facilitated students ability to make inferences about information…

After a response to previous papers on the future of the learning disabilities field, the paper discusses human motivation, and proposes the goal of self determination for all education. Self determination can be promoted by well trained teachers who provide experiences with optimal challenge, encourage autonomy and competence, and acknowledge…

An interdependent group-managed response-cost system mediated by free tokens was employed to decrease inappropriate verbalizations of two groups of elementary-level learning disabled children (N=9). Results indicated that this contingency system was a viable and effective method of decreasing inappropriate behavior. Peer pressure was credited for…

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) was administered to 56 learning disabled children, using standard assessment procedures and format as outlined by Wechsler. Abbreviated Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores were then derived by applying the Kennedy-Elder (K-E) formula. Frequent IQ classification changes rendered the K-E…

Results of the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), and Wide Range Achievement Test were compared for 66 learning disabled children in grades one through six. The TONI mean score was found to be significantly different from the WISC-R Performance Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Implications…