The article examines the background and current status of attempts to define the term "learning disabilities" (LDs), and concludes that resolution of the problem by continued search for a consummate definition of LD is unrealistic. (Author)

A survey of state mental retardation/developmental disabilities agencies found that while most employ a classification system that is compatible with or derived from that of the American Association on Mental Deficiency (AAMD), only 22 are actually using the 1983 edition of the AAMD alone or with another system. (Author/VW)

The study investigated whether 60 preservice and inservice, regular and special educators' perceptions of the emotionally disturbed/behaviorally disordered (ED/BD) would be influenced within a multidimensional framework by differentially labeling the target group. Among results were that the ED/BD categorical label was a significant factor in the…

Three of William Rhodes' 1975 predictions about the mental health system are discussed. It is advocated that caretakers invest more extensive and intensive interpersonal time. In addition, the dangers of classifying children are considered. (SEW)

A multidimensional model of mental retardation is proposed, based on medical, behavioral, and social dimensions. The model's theoretical underpinning emphasizes that an individual might be retarded in one or a combination of senses. The model introduces a conception of socially constructed retardation and suggests methods for operationalizing and…

Analyzed relationship between students' pre- and postprogram special education classification status and success in level-system program. Reviewed records of Severe Behavior Handicapped in special school over 11-year entrance period. Found no significant relationship between student outcomes and pre- or postclassification status. Findings suggest…

This article discusses using the term "general learning disorder" instead of "mental retardation." It addresses the offensiveness of the current label, discusses ingredients needed in a more appropriate diagnostic term, and offers a proposed grouping of developmental disabilities based on cognitive ability, language ability, physical ability, and…

This digest notes that there has been an increase in the number of graduate community mental health counseling programs requiring course work in abnormal behavior, psychopathology, and psychodiagnosis and that, as a result of this increase, utilization of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) also has…

Presented is a sociological perspective on the labeling of children as mentally retarded which lists seven classifications of deviance, defines labeling as society's attachment of a deviant name to some action or attribute of an individual, and distinguishes between primary deviation (deviation that is not specifically labeled) and secondary…

The volume consists of papers from the 1985 symposium "Identification of the Gifted" at the Sixth World Conference on Gifted and Talented Children in Hamburg (Federal Republic of Germany). Twelve chapters have the following titles and authors: (1) "Introduction" (J. F. Feldhusen and K. A. Heller); (2) "A Conception of…

Taking an ethnomethodological perspective, this paper addresses itself to the central question of how meanings are constructed by members to create social reality. Here, the interest lies in explicating the interpretive procedures used by the classroom teacher in constructing pupil categorizations. As a specialist, the teacher is expected to be…

Presented at the First National Conference on Learning Disabilities in Ottawa, Canada in October, 1977, the article discusses learning disabilities and their appropriate special educational services in Canada, focusing on the processes of categorization and labeling. (DLS)

Examined are some generic issues and problems related to the development of operational procedures for identifying learning disabled children, focusing on the formula proposed by the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped. (DLS)

This paper reviews theory and research on client classification and their processing in various organizational settings, with emphasis on drug abusers. Implications are drawn in terms of developing a better model of the social psychology of institutional life, and diagnostic-screening units more serviceable to needs of clients. (Author)

Focuses on the differentiation between acute and chronic school-phobic adolescents. Discusses incidence, classification systems, case descriptions, and distinctive features of acute and chronic school phobia. Identification of appropriate treatment strategies is stressed. (Author)