Parents of elementary students with learning disabilities (N=129) responded to questionnaires about types of modifications most facilitative of parental acceptance of full-time mainstreaming. Responses indicated parental participation in mainstreaming processes as an important factor in successful integration. Parents were supportive of full-time…

Thirty learning-disabled and 30 nonhandicapped intermediate grade children were assessed on memory performance for stimulus words, which were presented with congruent and noncongruent rhyming words and semantically congruent and noncongruent sentence frames. Both groups performed significantly better on words encoded using deep level congruent…

The author replies to responses to her article, "The Newtonian Mechanistic Paradigm, Special Education, and Contours of Alternatives" (EC 220 916). Topics covered include the degree of objectivity versus the idea of objectivity, theory-data separation versus theory-laden data, Piagetian theory and the question of theory versus paradigm,…

This article asserts that the learning disabilities field must (1) address causality in differentiating learning disabilities from other learning problems, (2) expand prevailing approaches to individualizing instruction so that intrinsic motivation is accounted for in a systematic, comprehensive manner, and (3) move beyond piecemeal programs to…

Visual and auditory coding processes in learning-disabled students (SLDs, n=19) and control students (SCs, n=19) were examined. Analysis of decision latencies revealed that with initial task exposure, SLDs responded more slowly than SCs, but confusability patterns were similar. With practice, overall latencies became comparable, while…

Comparison of 31 elementary grade boys with learning disabilities and 52 boys with behavior disorders who either did or did not also display hyperactive behavior found significant differences between groups on the Classroom Behavior Inventory in three areas: Hostility versus Consideration, Extroversion versus Introversion, and Independence versus…

The article examines some of the reasons for prejudicial attitudes toward students with learning disabilities and provides strategies for addressing the problem. Included are specific experiential activities to illustrate components of a comprehensive disability awareness program. (Author/DB)

Discusses the environmental and constitutional factors of learning and behavioral problems in school children, and suggests an approach for management. Proposes an expanded role for the medical practitioner in assessment and management. (RJC)

Summarizes role of language deficiencies in reading disability, focusing on two areas that appear critical to reading skill: language processing abilities and the awareness of phonological structure. Shows distinguishing characteristics of disabled readers to be consistent with theoretical and experimental findings about skilled reading, and to…

Discusses various problems in preschool screening for learning disabilities. Reviews studies which show that, in spite of such problems, early identification of learning disabilities is a viable process. Examines advances in reading theory and research which point to new variables that may enhance the predictive power of early screening devices…

Fourteen upper elementary-aged learning-disabled (LD) students were trained on referential communication tasks, then compared to an LD control group and a normally achieving training group. The LD trained group achieved significantly higher scores than did the control group on two speaking tasks, but did not perform differently on the listening…

The overview focuses on the advantages and principles of instruction using learning strategies for students with learning disabilities. It is emphasized that strategies are not to be applied without consideration of the individual, process, or context. (MSE)

A metacognition model that can help understand general problem-solving deficits in learning disabled students is presented. Two components of metacognition are highlighted: executive processes and attributional beliefs. An educational package combining these components with specific strategy training is illustrated as an approach to improving…

Encouraging learning-disabled adolescents to find their own successful style of learning requires: (1) breaking down preconceptions about education; (2) breaking down preconceptions about self; and (3) reinforcing such principles as individual responsibility for choices. (DB)

Analyzed diagnostic problem-solving behavior of expert practitioners in learning disabilities field. Performed log sequence analysis on thinking-aloud protocols of reading experts (N=17) assessing two randomly assigned pupils with reading and spelling problems. Found: (1) information gathering by experts not guided by theory; (2) much information…