The relationship between recurrent otitis media (middle ear infection characterized by the presence of middle ear fluid and possibly leading to a temporary conductive hearing loss) and learning disabilities (LD) is examined. Traditional treatment approaches (antibiotic medication and surgery) are reviewed. The definition of LD is presented and the…

The author reviews the literature and considers clinical implications of three issues in language and cognition: the relationship between language and cognition, the strategies children use in the language-learning task, and the cognitive determinants of what children say. Examined are questions (such as whether cognitive skills are dependent on…

The article, fifth in a series on subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised (WISC R), discusses how to use pattern analysis of the Similarities (verbal) and the Object Assembly (performance) subtests in diagnosis of learning disorders and prescription of instructional approaches. (IM)

Studied concurrent validity of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery-Children's Revision (LNNB-C) in learning disabled children categorized according to Verbal and Performance IQ differences. Found no significant differences between the three groups, thus failing to support the validity of the LNNB-C in discriminating between learning…

Thirty-six learning disabled and 36 emotionally disturbed children in elementary school and 18 emotionally disturbed children in institutions were examined to determine whether four instruments would differentiate the handicapping conditions manifested by the groups. (MC)

Highlighted are the plight of learning disabled adolescent boys whose schools offer no special programs and whose medical prescriptions call for military school placement, and the plight of parents who are not allowed military school expense deductions by the Internal Revenue Service. (MC)

The article discusses neuropsychological and treatment aspects of brain behavior disorders in children from the standpoint of terms such as minimal brain dysfunction, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, and hyperkinetic syndrome. (Author/DLS)

Two parts of the Autism Screening Instrument were administered to 13 individuals with deafness and autism (ages 15-24), individuals with autism (n=12), and individuals with deafness and learning disabilities (n=15). No differences in symptomatology were found between those who had autism, although those with deafness were diagnosed with autism…

The study investigated the degree to which a highly motivating computer game learning task could improve the differential diagnosis of adolescent students (N=23) with learning disabilities. Results suggest that a large proportion of students diagnosed as learning disabled are able to learn effectively when highly motivated. (Author/DB)

Evaluation of 86 medical students and physicians, referred for possible learning problems, found that most subjects had either a learning disability or attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); 21 subjects had a reading learning disability; and 15 had both a reading disability and ADHD. Sequential information processing appeared to be the…

Describes the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Revised and discusses its use in diagnosing learning disabilities or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents and adults. It addresses ethical and legal issues, the schism of standardized testing vs. modifications, assessment alternatives, and practitioner guidelines. (DB)

This article critically analyzes available definitions of learning disability. The general problem of definition is discussed first, followed by a discussion of individual definitions from the earliest to the latest. It is concluded that the definitions fail to provide substantive insight into the nature of the condition. (Contains extensive…

Neuropsychology is an area in which the functioning or integrity of the brain is linked to measurable human behavior. This paper describes the use of the Reitan batteries (Reitan and Davison; 1974) in public school settings for documenting and prescribing appropriate academic programs. Three individual case studies are presented. Case 1 is a 16…

Discusses research efforts at the University of Windsor focusing on the question of whether it is the case that some or all of the deficits exhibited by children who are classified as learning disabled are due to cerebral impariment and suggests that a neuro-psychological approach can provide a useful heuristic framework. (Author/JM)