A study compared the motor coordination of 26 Japanese children (ages 6-15) with Asperger syndrome and 14 with learning disabilities using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Although no relationship was found between intellectual and motor function, both groups demonstrated motor delay. Children with autism had poorer ball skills. (CR)

Describes a Montessori teacher's experience with a sufferer of Tourette's syndrome, a dysfunction characterized by motor and vocal tics. Studies the progress over a school year, including work on academic skills utilizing the Montessori method and behavior. Shares research, successes, and failures in trying to reach the child. (SD)

A Copy/Cover/Compare method of teaching multiplication facts to a sixth grade student with learning disabilities was evaluated. Results indicated that the Copy/Cover/Compare method was effective in increasing percent correct for the targeted multiplication facts. Practical implications of employing this drill and practice procedure in the…

Evaluation of the use of social studies hypermedia (text only) study guides with 25 high school students, either learning disabled or receiving remedial instruction, found that the hypertext provided adequate reinforcement to move students toward continued, unprompted use of a hypermedia study guide, and that short-term and long-term retention of…

This study of nine college students with learning disabilities examined success and disability management factors. The students reported experiencing labeling, stigmatization, and gatekeeping throughout their school years. Positive coping strategies included relying on benefactors, implementing self-improvement techniques, and utilizing particular…

A study examined the experiences of eight undergraduate students with learning disabilities at a large state university. Data were gathered in interviews with the students, director of disabled student services, a tutor, and one faculty member. Analysis focused on student attitudes and behaviors affecting the college experience, institutional…

Assesses basic skills in reading, spelling, and supporting metalinguistic abilities in learning disabled and regular low- to middle-range ninth- and tenth-grade students. States that both groups displayed deficiencies in spelling/decoding. Investigates contribution of nonword decoding skill and phonological/morphological awareness in spelling.…

Talks about the benefits of failure, both to the individual teacher and to the writing center as an institution. Examines the phenomenon of the hard-to-help student and how it leads scholar-teachers to reexamine their approaches and pedagogies. (TB)

A study of 14 adolescents with learning disabilities and 7 low-achieving adolescents was conducted to evaluate a writing strategy designed to enhance the quality of compare-and-contrast essays. Results indicate the students improved substantially in the clarity of writing, appropriateness, and organization of ideas in their essays, but not in…

Discusses "story grammar" strategies, such as self-questioning, story maps, character and plot development, and comparison and contrast of similar stories, which can be used to help elementary students with learning disabilities or low-achieving students improve their reading and writing skills. Activities are described for each…

Describes the structured internalization spelling method, which uses a series of small, graduated steps to teach students with learning disabilities to transcribe phonological sounds (phonemes) as alphabetic letters (graphemes) onto paper. The implementation of the program and the benefits of structured internalization are presented along with a…

Reports how a teacher led literacy development of two learning disabled students who were nonreaders/nonwriters. Describes an integrated instructional program in reading/writing designed to embed literacy instruction in purposive, meaningful activities; respond to the needs and capabilities of learners, reflecting their zone of proximal…

This paper presents nationally representative information about the extent of disproportionate gender representation in special education for the disability conditions of learning disabilities, mental retardation, and emotional disturbance. Recommendations are made for research to elucidate the basis for differences, improved data collection and…

Presents guidelines for referral and test evaluation of students with suspected learning or behavioral challenges for Montessori schools and staff. Includes an observation checklist in the areas of classroom behavior, classroom performance, and social behavior for teachers to use when a student is experiencing difficulties. Concludes with…

Compared reading and mathematics competencies of children with poor arithmetic fact mastery at the end of third grade to those of grade-level peers with good arithmetic fact mastery. Found that children with poor fact mastery showed little growth on timed number facts across second and third grades, despite normal growth in other mathematics…