Four vocabulary lists were used to generate a basic spelling list for students with learning disabilities and other poor spellers. Each word was assigned a grade placement (one through three) based on pattern of occurrence in children's writing and placement on current vocabulary lists and spelling materials. The resulting spelling list of 335…

This article describes use of a comprehensive calendar designed to help college students with learning disabilities organize course assignments, assess assignments in terms of time allocation, and plan for the completion of assignments. The calendar design, which was implemented with students at the University of North Texas, involves task…

Compares three groups of academically at-risk college students: students diagnosed with a learning disability (LD), students who identified themselves as having a learning disability (SILD), and low achievers (LA). The scholastic performance of students in the LD group was significantly different from the other two groups, and the self-ratings of…

In this interview, 16-year-old Samantha Abeel, who is learning-disabled in math, describes the frustrations of dealing with seventh-grade responsibilities like locker combinations, unfamiliar teachers, and algebra. Sam is gifted in writing but didn't receive special help with math until entering a special education class in eighth grade, where a…

Twelve high school students with learning disabilities were instructed in a strategy to identify and remember pairs or small groups of information. Results showed student improvement in test performance and creation of study cards. Students had distinct preferences among mnemonic devices and adapted strategies based on previous experience. (DB)

Vocational special-needs personnel provided 245 usable responses (of 490) showing that they applied the same theoretical explanations of advanced cognitive skill development to adolescents with learning disabilities and viewed higher-order skills as important in preparing them for transition. However, they supported use of linear, hierarchical…

For students with severe disabilities, the journey to becoming effective, independent writers is no longer insurmountable. As long as students can make a consistent, reliable movement, the computer is a viable option. Many individuals successfully operate computers by activating a switch with their head, foot, mouth, or blink of an eye. Special…

This review of writing abilities of learning-disabled children addresses story composition, expository writing, training/intervention research, and rationales/procedures for instruction. Specifically reviewed are mechanical/syntactic fluency skills, story schema and cohesion, modes of production, effects of age and development, task importance,…

Examination of 42 cases of children with Tourette Syndrome with intelligence quotients (IQs) above 70 found that mean IQs were higher than mean math, spelling, reading, and reading comprehension scores. Using a 1.5 standard deviation discrepancy, 51 percent met criteria for learning disability in at least one academic area; 21 percent had a…

Implementation of Britain's Further and Higher Education Act of 1992 raises some concerns about provision for adults with learning disabilities, such as loss of key coordinating positions and disappearance of marginalized programs. Closer links between colleges and adult education services are being developed to plan coherent programs. (SK)

Administered Quick Neurological Screening Test-Revised (QNST-R) to 122 elementary-aged children diagnosed with learning disabilities. QNST-R appeared to measure primarily lower order sensory perception/processing and fine and gross motoric skills, which are thought presumably to serve as basis for later higher order cognitive functions. Age, but…

Examined scatter analysis and Kaufman regroupings of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised scores. Findings from 31 non-learning-disabled children and 29 learning-disabled children revealed significant difference in Verbal and Performance intelligence quotients between learning-disabled and nondisabled children, with significantly more…

Finds that advance organizers and level of test anxiety had no effect on test performance of mildly handicapped high school students who took a learning test after viewing a film. (SR)

The consensus conference on learning disabilities and employment sponsored by the President's Committee on Employment of Persons with Disabilities in May 1990 is described. Decisions and proposals made in the key areas of work preparation, vocational entry, reasonable accommodation, job advancement, socioadaptability, attitudes, and definitions…

Six students with learning disabilities were taught to solve arithmetic problems appearing on worksheets containing self-monitoring checklists including mnemonic devices to facilitate retention. Results found student performance improved to the criterion level of over 90 percent correct and was maintained over a follow-up period. (Author/PB)