The stresses of underachieving gifted children and the reasons for those stresses are examined. These stresses include pressure to be brilliant, creative, popular, and good. Recommendations for dealing with underachievement syndrome are provided, and brief case studies of underachieving gifted children are cited. (JDD)

This article describes prevention and treatment factors that can assist rural students at risk for learning difficulties to develop self-esteem and lead useful lives. Factors include social change, teacher education, community-business-school partnerships, family involvement, community education, interdisciplinary approaches to assessment, school…

Many learning-disabled students experience social skill problems which call for training to promote success in school, work, and social settings. Social skill problems fall into three categories: skill deficits, performance deficits, and behavioral excesses. Interventions generally focus on increasing the individual's repertoire of skills, using…

This article examines ways in which intuitive understandings may help teachers in developing the thinking of pupils with autism. The article suggests that, by working toward students' development of an autobiographical memory, it may be possible for them to establish an awareness of their own role as a problem solver. (JDD)

This guide outlines the characteristics of dyslexia and its educational implications. Parental understanding of the problem and support for intervention efforts are stressed. Various learning activities are suggested, along with guidelines to help the child cope with the disability, become better organized, study for tests, etc. (JDD)

Early intervention programs provide early stimulation and therapy for young children with disabilities. However, no specific age guidelines have been established for starting early intervention, and the pressure to make an immediate commitment to an early intervention program can overwhelm parents. Program options and decision-making strategies…

A list is presented of 70 typical academic problems of learning-disabled children that special educators must be able to diagnose and remedy. The problems are categorized as follows: reading, language, spelling, handwriting, arithmetic, thinking, and school task and behavior problems. (JDD)

This article outlines learning patterns which can identify the gifted learning-disabled and discusses the importance of early diagnosis, the importance of the student's participation in programs for the learning-disabled as well as for the gifted, and recommendations for helping the student succeed. (JDD)

This guide provides recommendations and guidelines to expressive arts therapists and educators who work in school settings as therapists, supervisors, supervisees, or graduate school expressive arts interns. There are eight chapters: (1) Expressive Arts Therapies in School Settings (definitions, learning objectives, confidentiality, ethical…

The paper reviews music therapy, the educational background of music therapists, music therapy's various settings, and its use as an intervention with girls with Rett Syndrome. Sample music therapy programs for three girls (aged 5, 14, and 20 years) with Rett Syndrome are presented. The sample programs provide: student descriptions; the girls'…

This monograph provides an introduction to psychoeducational theory in the education of students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders (E/BD). An introduction reviews the history of the psychoeducational approach and stresses the need to put this theory, as well as others, into practice. Chapter 1 compares and integrates six psychoeducational…

This article discusses health fraud in special education. Psychopathology of health fraud, standards by which pseudoscience and quackery are defined, and the complexities of learning disorders are considered. A scale to determine whether an alternative therapy is reasonable is presented. Several popular therapies are used as examples. (Author/PB)

This article presents key ideas from Lev S. Vygotsky's social-interactionist zones of proximal development theory and applications of this theory to assessment and intervention with children having language impairments. A case study illustrates the steps in coordinating assessment and intervention. (Author/DB)

Designed for high school students interested in careers in special education and related services, this leaflet outlines the role of the art therapist. It addresses the nature of the work, the education required, personal qualities that art therapists should have, job outlook, and how to prepare for a career as an art therapist. Art therapists are…

This paper comprises a compilation of nine case studies of girls (aged 4-16 years) with Rett Syndrome. The educational settings involved are various and include private day school, public elementary school in both integrated and special needs classrooms, and a county-operated preschool program for handicapped children. Each case study outlines the…