Problems in the application of traditional process-oriented approaches to diagnosis and treatment of learning disabilities suggest a need to alter the manner in which these basic processes are conceptualized and measured. (Author)

Results are reported for an exploratory study of eligibility decisions made for 21 Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELLs) with learning disabilities (LD) and no secondary disabilities who received special education support in reading. Eligibility determinations by an expert panel resulted in decisions that differed significantly from…

An ethnographic study of one elementary bilingual special education classroom found three profile types of students, ranging from severe language learning disabilities to normal abilities. Results show the inadequacy of the medical model and support a contextual performance view that acknowledges the role of instructional context in revealing the…

A study examined the efficacy of the Restricted Academic Task in evaluating the effects of stimulant medication in 149 children (ages 5-17) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The measure consists of standardized observation of a child performing an academic-like task, and was found to be both reliable and valid. (Author/CR)

Guidelines are offered for the evaluation of instructional materials to be used with learning disabled or other children. (DB)

The tendency toward overly positive self-evaluative statements of students with learning and behavior problems was analyzed with 19 such students (aged 9.6 to 15.2 years). Findings supported an interpretation of such statements as a form of self-protective behavior, rather than the inability to make accurate self-evaluative judgments. (Author/DB

The Multidimensional Actuarial Classification system, which consists of routines and decision making procedures applied to weighting of standardized psychometric, observational, and interview data, was used to classify 200 children (6-16 years old) referred for psychological evaluation. Seven distinct patterns emerged, supporting the approach's…

When a contingent imitation and modeling procedure was used with a learning disabled eight-year-old, results indicated significant improvement in the number of correctly spelled words. On a transfer test, performance was slightly improved over pretest performance. However, analysis of error quality revealed substantial improvement in ability.…

Measured were variations in the brain activity of a child with suspected cerebral disturbance, EEG abnormality, and academic retardation while performing different cognitive activities. (Author/KW)

Two hundred fifty children (6 to 14 years old) referred to a clinic for reading problems were analyzed in terms of medical, visual, speech and hearing, and social and emotional factors. (CL)

A forward-gating procedure employing familiar monosyllabic words was used in auditory testing of age- and gender-matched elementary students with and without learning disabilities. Results indicate auditory closure skills were comparable between disabled and nondisabled subjects, but sensory discrimination problems may contribute significantly to…

A successful adult with dyslexia recounts his experiences as a child including poor school reports, emotional problems, clumsiness, as well as the help provided by a special school for boys with dyslexia. (DB)

Children with vestibular (inner ear) disorders and related postural disturbances constitute a large segment of the population described as learning disabled. (Author/DB)