Similarities between severe learning disabilities and higher-level autism are seen to include uneven profiles, language difficulties, social and interpersonal deficits, and cognitive disorganization. Among differences are relatedness and play interests. Benefits of viewing the two conditions as overlapping on a continuum are noted. (CL)

Writing a class novel can help learning disabled students integrate such previously isolated skills as use of introductory and ending statements and transitional words. Pre-writing, committee writing, and concluding activities are suggested. (CL)

All four types of instruction (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile) increased word reading accuracy in five seven- to nine-year-old learning disabled students, but there were significant differences in effectiveness among the treatments. Visual-auditory instruction with praise was the most effective of all the procedures. (CL)

An impairment index of brain functions in children was developed to summarize the performance on the Halstead-Reitan Neurological Test Battery for older children aged 9 through 14 years. Findings suggested that it may be a valid and objective indicator of brain functions in older children, although cross-validation is necessary. (Author/CL)

The author reviews the background and development of the PAC (Parallel Alternate Curriculum) Program, designed to improve the learning of all students (including learning disabled students) by helping teachers maintain them in the mainstream classroom. Adminstrative support is cited as a key element in the program's success. (CL)

Teachers of learning disabled adolescents are urged to help students understand their disabilities through honest and sensitive discussion. (CL)

Thirty-one female learning disabled college students were administered a battery of psychoeducational measures. Results revealed that less than one-fourth had significant verbal-performance IQ discrepancy. It was concluded that LD college females may be more similar in intellectual functioning to non LD Ss than their LD male counterparts. (CL)

The author describes his concerns over mainstreaming, especially as the practice applies to LD students. He quotes other special educators' misgivings about mainstreaming and decries the lack of long range planning in the field. (CL)

Fifteen nondisabled children were superior in performance to 15 learning disabled Ss on transformation that required reordering or abandoning previously learned strategies. For the majority of transformation tasks, significant ability group differences occurred on the encoding and retrieval stage of processing. Results suggest that learning…

A night school provides individualized learning prescriptions in such courses as reading, study skills, applied math, and computers to learning disabled adults. (CL)

Two versions, via microcomputer, of the Test of Written Spelling were administered to underachieving students from a regular third-grade class and from an upper-grade, self-contained class for learning handicapped (LH) students. Results indicated that students took less time and spelled more words correctly on the standard written version.…

This study investigated the relationship between hair mineral elements and childhood learning disabilities and determined which minerals, if any, separated 26 learning disabled children with 24 normal controls. The learning disabled group had significantly raised hair-lead concentrations. There were also differences in the mean levels of 10 other…

A microethnographic approach analyzed the nature of teacher interactions with a group of five learning disabled intermediate students in a mainstreamed setting. Analysis of audio and videotapes and classroom observations revealed that students received little direct instruction, despite findings from teacher interviews that students were receiving…

This case study investigated linguistic rule application skills in an adult with spelling disabilities. Data suggest that in cases where spelling subskills are deficient, increased task structure may enable the LD speller to apply rule knowledge and subskill competencies more effectively. (Author/CL)

A former teacher of learning disabled adolescents describes how logo-therapy, an approach which stresses responsibility for one's self, can help students gain new attitudes towards themselves, their peers, and their goals. Examples of circle sessions are offered. (CL)