The new definition of learning disabilities proposed by the National Joint Committee for Learning Disabilities is discussed in terms of its need, procedures followed in its development, the Committee's intention regarding critical elements, and the definition's current status (acceptance by four of the six member organizations). (DB)

The postural-sway response of five learning disabled (LD) and five nondisabled children was evaluated using a force platform. From statistical analysis of the two groups, the LD children appeared to use visual input to compensate for postural problems and had significant difficulty controlling posture with eyes closed. (SK)

Fifty intermediate level learning disabilities students participated in the Purdue Creative Thinking Program. Ss in the LD experimental group made significantly greater scores than LD control Ss in divergent thinking as measured by the verbal and figural subtests of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. (Author/CL)

The position statement of the Board of Trustees of the Council for Learning Disabilities opposes the inclusion of nonhandicapped low achievers and underachievers in learning disability programs and recommends that these students be served within the regular education program. (DB)

The paper reports on two experiments which examined the linguistic and metacognitive aspects of the communication process in 15 normally achieving and 30 learning disabled grade five children. Training increased learning disabled children's sociolinguistic awareness and their use of sociolinguistic strategies for planfulness. Interestingly, the…

A sociometric rating scale was administered to 46 mainstreamed learning disabled (LD) students. LD and nonhandicapped (NH) students did not differ significantly in regular classroom sociometric status. In addition, LD pupils were as well known as their matched peers and rated fellow LD students in the same classes higher than did NH raters.…

Thirty-two learning disabled and 32 average elementary students, matched by grade, read under three conditions: classroom group, individual, and individual restatement condition, requiring subjects to summarize contents during passage reading. Overall results of comprehension tests failed to confirm predicted differential effects of conditions on…

Cognitive neuroscience assumes that measurement of brain electrical activity should relate to cognition. Brain Electrical Activity Mapping (BEAM), a non-invasive technique, is used to record changes in activity from one brain area to another and is 80 to 90 percent successful in classifying subjects as dyslexic or normal. (MT)

The author criticizes an exploratory study of mathematics curricula for 6-13 year olds for its neglect of the needs of students with learning difficulties. He cites the importance of better assessment strategies, use of the problem-solving approach, development of an intersubject emphasis, and encouragement of estimating abilities. (CL)

The paper reviews the existence and complicating nature of nonverbal learning disorders, noting difficulties faced by such individuals in elementary and secondary school. Problems in identifying these disorders are reviewed. (CL)

Third graders (N=32) were administered items from reading achievement tests and interviewed concerning strategies they employed and level of confidence in each answer. Results indicated that LD students were less likely to report use of appropriate strategies on inferential questions and to attend carefully to specific format demands; LD students…

Learning disabled and nondisabled (N=22) children were individually observed in their classroom. Results indicated that normal youngsters spent about 80 percent of observed time on-task regardless of task demands. Learning disabled youngsters varied in their on-task behavior as a function of task demands. (Author/CL)

The author criticizes an article defending the concept of learning disabilities and points out methodological concerns. He asserts that the term has not only not reduced ambiguities and inconsistencies in the definitions but has increased competition for diminishing federal and state support. (CL)

The study examined the stability of WISC-R (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised) Verbal-Performance (V-P) differences at the triannual reevaluation of 71 learning disabled students from Hawaii. Results revealed a slight increase of three points in the V-P differences, with a correlation of .55 between the Time 1 and Time 2 V-P…

An informal study suggested that although auditory input affects and often interferes with learning, especially in learning disabled children, the students learn to cope with the interference. The importance of considering all learning modalities was stressed. (CL)