Part 2 of a two-part series, the article highlights research relevant to learning disability (LD) diagnostic practices, summarizes a study of current diagnostic practices related to learning problem referrals, and contrasts three ethical perspectives used in judging the appropriateness of such activity. (See EC 120 477 for Part 1.) (Author/DLS)

Current educational practices for classifying and serving students with mental health disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been associated with specific problems. These include the stigma of labeling, misalignment of school-based categories (e.g., E/BD, OHI) with clinical diagnoses, and concerns regarding the provision of…

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a diagnostic term now indelibly scored on the public psyche. In some quarters, a diagnosis of ADHD is regarded with derision. In others it is welcomed with relief. Despite intense multidisciplinary research, the jury is still out with regard to the "truth" of ADHD. Not surprisingly, the…

Current diagnostic and labeling practices were studied with 26 children with learning disabilities and other learning handicaps. (Author/DLS)

Contends that there are disparities in the abilities of young children and that sound educational practices are needed to respond to these disparities. Numerous practices used with young gifted children are neither necessary nor sound. Young children perceived as gifted are vulnerable to attitudes and practices that can deprive them of childhood.…

The study determined the effects of labels on teachers' perceptions of the prevalence of emotionally disturbed children and youth in the regular classroom. Results showed that the labels used did have an effect on teachers' perceptions toward the children, and teachers were more willing to apply the "behavior disordered" label. (Author/TLJ)

Students do not need to be told that they are socially constituted so much as they need to experience, in concrete terms, what that means. In an era of identity politics, they need to experience the labels they choose (or the labels chosen for them) as no less problematic than they are inevitable. A means to this end is a classroom heuristic tried…

The second of two transcripts from a radio series on learning disabilities (LD) presents interviews with educators, and LD adult, and physicians on such topics as problems of identifying LD students, stigmatizing labels, new tags for LD students, the need for additional teacher training, the relationship between LD and juvenile delinquency,…

A national survey was made of state departments of education regarding the categories (e.g., speech impaired, gifted) used to classify exceptional children. (DLS)

A test for gender discrimination in response to familiar labels was developed and given to 17- to 42-month-old children. There were no sex differences in performance, but among the youngest children, more boys than girls were unable to perform the discrimination task. The tests measure the ability of children to gender-label. (KH)

Results show that someone can be behaviorally cast into a deviant role through the use of subtle communication techniques. (Author/DEP)

Awareness of how perceived roles shape how people see themselves and how others see them prompted Cheryl McLean to question how her new label of "teaching assistant" helped or hurt the teaching and learning process. As a teaching assistant, she moved into the dual role of teacher and student. She believes that the labels she adopts…

Presented is a position paper on learning disabilities developed by the Region 9 Task Force (State education directors or their designates from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont). It is explained that the Task Force met in March 1976 to share state and regional concerns about definitions,…

Evaluated relationships among Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) code types from the Gilberstadt and Duker and the Marks, Seeman, and Haller systems. Superordinate types were identified: neurotic, psychotic and sociopathic. Data from the MMPI do not support the practice of highly differentiated classification within the three…

Compared smoking treatment programs using negative (recording number of cigarettes smoked) v positive (recording number of urges resisted) self-monitoring. Subjects demonstrated significant reduction in smoking frequency compared with no treatment. Findings were maintained at follow-up. Findings question the positive and negative labels used to…