Describes social and emotional problems of learning-disabled students and presents research that substantiates interactional role of the family in these problems. Reviews some of major personal and social issues facing learning-disabled students and suggests ways that school counselors and mental health workers can work with families of these…

Administration of the Children's Depression Inventory to a sample of 53 children (ages 8-11) identified as learning disabled found that 35.85 percent of the children reported depressive symptoms. There were no significant differences based on gender, ethnicity, and level of special education, and there was not a linear trend for age. (JDD)

Evaluation of data on 689 Indiana students (ages 6-18) referred and identified as having learning disabilities indicated that 58 percent had been retained before identification, suggesting that retention is being used as remediation before labeling a student. Implications of this practice and alternatives to grade retention are considered.…

Reports on a special project that used poetry to enhance self-understanding with learning-disabled students (ages 6-12). Notes that the project was designed to use poetry to provide exposure achievement imagery and practice in expressing self-determination. Finds that the reading, discussing, and writing of poetry was consistent with the…

Discusses the use of technology to help students with learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia. Highlights include BookWise, a microcomputer-based interactive reading system, and provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act that apply to employees with physical or mental limitations who are otherwise qualified workers. (LRW)

Discusses three major physiological or neurological areas in which learning problems originate: language deficits, visual processing deficits, and information processing deficits. Discusses remediation efforts. (RS)

This article presents a rationale for improving descriptions of samples of persons with learning disabilities in research reports. Guidelines resulting from a working conference of journal editors in the field of learning disabilities are presented. The guidelines aim to allow for study-to-study comparisons and actual replications. (JDD)

This introductory article considers the impact of homework requirements on students with learning disabilities in light of increased mainstreaming of these students and rising academic demands. Noted are three recent projects examining the impact of school reform on students with disabilities and their families. (DB)

Three studies investigated 98 children's and 252 adults' implicit knowledge about learning disabilities. Overall, the studies suggested that professionals outside the field of special education, as well as nondisabled children, have fairly well-developed ideas about what constitutes a learning disability. Exemplars of tacit knowledge matched most…

This article reviews issues relating to using homework with students having learning disabilities and then identifies empirically validated and recommended practices, grouped into four categories: (1) management considerations; (2) assignment considerations; (3) student competencies; and (4) parent involvement. (DB)

Examines identification of learning-disabled students, comparing advantages and disadvantages of most common discrepancy formulas and multiple regression discrepancy method. Contends that educational and statistical significance of test scores should be taken into consideration during identification process, and consonance between…

Compared social-behavioral competencies of 40 learning-disabled, 40 low-achieving, and 40 typical elementary school students. Teacher ratings using Walker-McConnell Scale of Social Competence and School Adjustment revealed that learning-disabled and low-achieving students were both rated as having significantly lower levels of social competence…

Some researchers have attributed school learning problems to students entering school too early. Investigated relationship between students' month of birth and learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, and speech and language delays in 1,951 identified students with these disabilities. Analysis did not find that late-birthdate children were…

Investigates the concept of educational inclusion, which refers to the integration of handicapped students into regular classrooms. Considers the issues broached by inclusion for classroom teachers. Presents concerns of the teachers regarding a number of issues. (HB)

Discusses the practice of using a portfolio reporting system in a learning disabilities resource room. Gives several rationales for the superiority of portfolios. Provides specific examples of student work. Provides a detailed description of how to implement portfolio reporting in the classroom, including planning, selection of materials, and…