Explores the diagnostic criteria of developmental coordination disorder, a condition that is characterized by motor awkwardness and has a strong association with psychiatric disorders and learning disabilities. Delineates the nature of developmental coordination disorder and discusses its treatment through occupational therapy and cognitive…

Reviews definitional issues of learning disabilities in the context of the Guckenberger v. Boston University federal lawsuit. Four major questions are addressed: (1) Who is learning disabled?; (2) How should learning disabilities be assessed?; (3) Who is qualified to decide whether or not an individual has a learning disability?; and (4) What…

Discusses the medical diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Describes the nature and origins of the condition and discusses approaches to its management, focusing on the controversy surrounding the social and educational value of the diagnosis. Examines the potential contribution of the ADHD diagnosis in promoting social…

This study examined the cognitive and motor functioning of 52 survivors of neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) at age 5. Ten percent were diagnosed with mental retardation, while an additional 12 percent presented other disabilities. A common pattern of specific vulnerabilities in cognitive, gross motor, fine motor, and motor…

The purposes of this study were to: (1) identify the educational characteristics of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Undifferentiated Attention Deficit Disorder (UADD); and (2) to discuss the clinical implications of the current DSM-III-R diagnostic procedures of these disorders. Specifically, the differences in…

Examined were the characteristics of over 3000 children (median age 8 years 10 months) enrolled in Child Service Demonstration Centers for Learning Disabilities in 21 states. (Author/DB)

The report to Congress comprises a description of the current research findings on the definition, associated characteristics, diagnosis, prognosis, prevalence, causes, and treatment of developmental language disorders. Each section both reviews current literature and notes research as well as clinical needs, as related to issues of prevention.…

The report describes the clinical findings of a collaborative program to provide appropriate neuropsychiatric skills for 60 children ages 8 to 14 (grade 3 to 8) and their teachers. The children represented the entire population of two self-contained units (eight classes) for the treatment of children designated as severely emotionally handicapped…

This paper summarizes the recent advances achieved by research in the area of developmental disabilities, and discusses directions for future research in this area. Approximately 8 to 10 per cent of the pediatric population suffers from one or more developmental disabilities. The most common of these are learning disabilities, which include some…

Theories regarding organic determinants of learning and behavior disorders are reviewed historically. Cases illustrating how a bio-ecologic examination can isolate the substances to which a person reacts and some of the reasons for those reactions are presented; and the role of various disorders in relation to the central nervous system is…

A detailed explicit definition of learning disability (LD) is presented in terms of the diagnostic procedures and decision points used in identifying that category among a group of juvenile delinquent and control group adolescent males. The described procedures include a review of existing records, interviews, and diagnostic assessments.…

This paper discusses the definition of learning disability through the concept of early identification of vulnerable children, based on a study of 650 inner-city preschool children. While the study's first step, scanning, identified the children who were vulnerable to learning disability, the second step, diagnosis, attempted to find the reasons…

This report summarizes the theoretic background, rationale, and development of 14 simulated cases useful in comparing the problem-solving behaviors of clinicians as they diagnose the same case under the same conditions and in supplementing field experiences in teacher preparation programs. The first section of the report presents a theoretic…

One presentation in the area of learning disabilities by Emily Sheldon considers the structure of an educational program with teachers and parents in rural areas. A plan for thorough diagnosis and suggested classroom modifications and treatment is described. Conclusions, offering specific educational implications, are presented. A second report by…

Task Force 2, created by concerned voluntary and government agencies, outlines a program and resources to be developed to provide for the needs of children with minimal brain dysfunction (MBD), or learning disabilities. Task Force 1 reported on terminology and identification and Task Force 3 will deal with research in MBD, in other phases of the…