The author describes a hearing to determine if a learning disabled teenager could receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. The example illustrates the overreliance on tests and labels in determining who is eligible to receive SSI. (CL)

Fifteen learning disabled adolescents who participated in a social skills awareness program involving discussion and filmstrips significantly improved their posttest scores on the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale and on the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior, compared to a conrol group. No significant differences…

In a study involving 78 first-year college students, 19 of whom had been identified as learning disabled (LD), it was found that scores on the American College Test, Standard Test of Academic Skills, and grade point average could be used to predict LD with 84 percent accuracy. (Author/CL)

Findings involving 88 learning disabled students (K-6) revealed that self-esteem appeared to contribute to the significant, negative relationship between scores on the general information subtest of the Peabody Individual Achievement Test and anxiety for the total group and for males. (Author/CL)

The article reviews the physiological studies (excluding electrocortical and electroencephalographic literature) that have been done on nonhyperactive learning disabled (LD) youngsters. The evidence reviewed indicates some degree of attentional deficit in LD children but does not necessarily imply brain damage or brain dysfunction. (Author/CL)

With the advent of readily available computer technology, we have to develop a philosophy which considers the role of computers in education. Computers can be used for much more than role learning, and a philosophy must include the far reaching contexts of computers in school and life. (CL)

The column reviews trends and recent articles on computer assisted instruction (CAI) for students with learning disabilities and for students without handicaps. Topics addressed include CAI for incarcerated students, insurance, guidelines for software, and suggestions for purchasing software. (CL)

The article cites studies on the potential impact of tuition tax credits for private schools, and it notes particular ramifications for public school special education such as reduced numbers of positive role models due to flight of affluent and academically able students to private schools and reduction in public school revenues. (CL)

The column briefly reviews current research and thinking on such topics as a genetic basis for LD (learning disabilities), sleep electroencephalography patterns of hyperactive children, psychological traits of parents of LD children, early intervention for LD students, and external locus of control in LD schools. (CL)

Characteristics of the aggressive, severely behavior disordered (BD) child are discussed, with a focus on classification and identification criteria. Additional factors directly related to the behavior of an aggressive, severely BD child are also considered: biological factors, familial factors, cognitive factors, frustration (specifically…

The question of whether it is easier to learn to read through an ideographic, syllabic, or alphabetic writing system is posed. The linguistic nature of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English are examined in relation to differences in information processing and cultural factors related to reading disability. (Author/SEW)

Two samples of learning disabled (LD) children (a total of 208) were evaluated in order to reveal several subgroups of LD children within A. Bannatyne's recategorization paradigm. Five subgroups were shown with varied profiles. Recognition of this intragroup variation could greatly enhance the use of diagnostic instruments in developmental…

The method of repeated readings may be useful with disabled readers. Many disabled readers decode text in a word-by-word fashion and consequently have difficulty understanding what they read. This failure is often attributed to their inability to focus attention simultaneously on decoding and comprehending the message. (Author/SEW)

A random sample of Texas physicians was surveyed regarding such issues as their knowledge of Public Law 94-142 and their medical school training in the areas of emotional disturbance, learning disabilities, and mental retardation. Of the 69 pediatricians, family practitioners, and general practitioners, only 64 percent were familiar with this…

The processing of a transitivity task by 7-, 9-, 11-, and 13-year-old learning disabled children was studied. All Ss, regardless of age, received highest scores on tasks involving linguistic input. There was no evidence of a developmental shift from spatial into linguistic reasoning. (Author/SEW)