In a pilot project, middle school students with learning disabilities were trained to be mentors to preschoolers with physical disabilities. The training used psychosocial group methods implemented by graduate students in counselor education. Mentors developed social and communication skills and a sense of accomplishment. (SK)

A study examined whether electrophysiologic techniques could identify central auditory processing difficulties in 15 low-achieving gifted adolescents. Results found that P300-wave morphology was significantly poorer for the low-achieving gifted group compared to achieving gifted and nongifted typical groups, but was not different from those with…

Presents an overview of a screening process developed by a postsecondary institution that has a comprehensive support program for students with learning disabilities. The steps in the process are outlined, as are the successes and limitations. Recommendations for programs that are considering adopting a screening process are provided. (Author/CR)

Fifth-grade students with learning disabilities who were good (n=12) and poor (n=11) handwriters and 56 matched controls were asked to copy text under two conditions, quickly and neatly. Students with learning disabilities were not as capable of increasing writing speed and demonstrated a slower rate of speed. (Author/CR)

Parents (N=67) and siblings (N=71) of children with and without learning disabilities (LD) and/or behavior problems were interviewed. The primary indicator of the impact of a child with LD on siblings and parents was whether the child also had behavior problems. Results also indicated that LD children and siblings differed in perceptions of…

This article describes constructivist principles of learning in geometry specific to children's imaginal anticipations in line measurement and fractions. Application with seven sixth grade students with learning disabilities found that students had difficulty coordinating and imagining second-order and higher nested relationships that could be…

Addresses diagnosis, intervention, and accommodation from a metacognitive perspective for students with learning disabilities. Identifies curriculum issues for nursing education and gives examples of modifications in classroom and clinical settings. (SK)

This article refutes claims that Albert Einstein had a learning disability and argues the claim derives its force not from evidence but from belief that the greatest among us suffer from some impairment and from desire to enhance the status of a marginalized group by including exceptional individuals. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A male student with learning disabilities was trained in job-related social skills designed to improve punctuality and work attendance. His attendance improved over time; punctuality rose to only 85% of target behavior. (SK)

Discusses the failure of students with learning disabilities to complete their homework assignments, lists criteria for planning assignments to motivate secondary students, and offers suggestions on procedures and outcomes for inviting students to participate in the assignment completion process. An Assignment Idea Chart is provided. (CR)

The career of psychologist Samuel Kirk, the "father" of learning disabilities (LD), is reviewed. Noted are his professional career, his dedication to scholarship and inquiry, his continued involvement with people with LD, his ability to integrate knowledge from different disciplines, his creative use of research, his preparation of other…

This tribute to Samuel Kirk, an early leader in the field of learning disabilities, is written by a former student. It focuses on his experiences and contributions while at Milwaukee State Teachers College (Wisconsin). Kirk's supervision of practice teaching, his role as an editor and co-author, and his ideas about teaching reading are recounted.…

Knowledge of derivational suffix meanings was investigated in 10 subjects (ages 10-12) with language learning disabilities and typical peers. Students produced derived forms from nonce bases in an elicitation task and selected derived forms in a forced choice task. Elicitation task accuracy of subjects fell substantially below that of peers.…

Describes program alternatives in science for students with learning disabilities and their implications for reading and writing. Reviews opportunity to learn, the science performance of students with learning disabilities, science textbook instruction, literacy and science, and alternatives to read-dependent science programs. Presents an…

Learning disabled students (N=22) with documented learning disabilities on standardized tests at beginning and end of one school year were evaluated. Neuropsychological measures were also administered. Subjects demonstrated impairment on neuropsycholgical measures. By the end of the year subjects had improved in written language. Results suggest…