The article describes Project ASSIST, a five-week post-high school/precollege summer program to help learning disabled students adjust to the university environment at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The program emphasizes six components: affective support, diagnostic evaluation, academic reinforcement and instruction, strategy training,…

A survey seeking information about programs and services for learning disabled (LD) students was sent to 703 graduate and professional schools. Respondents (N=223) indicated that only 24% had developed a written plan describing services for LD students as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Author/DB)

The validity of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Verbal-Mathematical discrepancies as indicators of college learning disability (LD) was assessed for four groups of LD students (Total N about 5000) taking different test formats. Comparison with non-LD student scores indicated no evidence of larger discrepancies for the LD groups. (Author/DB)

The literature on metacognition and students having learning problems is reviewed. Investigations of metacognitive instruction to enhance memory skills, to increase text comprehension, and to improve written expression and math performance are reported. The roles of the teacher and learner in acquiring and controlling the targeted cognitive…

Two types of elaboration are reviewed as potent strategies for the learning disabled: (1) modifications to make materials more learnable and (2) recommendations about elaborative strategies that learners can execute. A model of autonomous and flexible strategy use is presented with emphasis on efficient strategy application. (DB)

A Learning Disabilities Seminar designed to increase the learning disabled adolescent's understanding and acceptance of both self and participation in special educational programs is described. Teachers reported seminar participants were less likely to deny their problems, and to be more realistic and cooperative. (DB)

Results of interviews with 35 low-income parents indicated: that most had positive feelings about special education; that most lacked information essential for making informed decisions regarding placement; and that parents of learning disabled children perceived their children differently than parents of mentally retarded children. (Author/DB)

The article presents an overview of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities, the organizations it represents, its history, its mission statement, a listing of its position papers, and the process by which it operates and takes positions. (DB)

The position paper of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities provides five criticisms of the definition of learning disabilities developed in 1967 by the National Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children and proposes an alternative definition. (DB)

The new definition of learning disabilities proposed by the National Joint Committee for Learning Disabilities is discussed in terms of its need, procedures followed in its development, the Committee's intention regarding critical elements, and the definition's current status (acceptance by four of the six member organizations). (DB)

The effects of unilateral and bilateral ear occlusion on auditory discrimination in background noise was tested among 36 adults with auditory figure-ground disorders and normal auditory discrimination ability. Results indicated that unilateral occlusion effectively eliminated the figure-ground disorder in most subjects. (Author/DB)

State guidelines for 1981/82 and 1985/86 were compared to identify trends in definitions and methods used to diagnose learning disabilities (LD). The later guidelines tended to delineate specific achievement discrepancy criteria. However, major components of LD definitions were not altered and IQ cutoffs were not implemented. (Author/DB)

A new computer assisted instructional program designed to increase decoding fluency in reading was evaluated for use with 20 learning disabled elementary grade children. After 10 weeks of daily 15-minute practice sessions, subjects showed substantial improvement on words practiced, words never practiced, and reading speed and accuracy. (Author/DB)

Modern Language Aptitude Test scores of regular students (N=244) enrolled in introductory foreign language classes were compared with their foreign language course performance. The fourth and fifth subtests predicted ability to learn a foreign language. Learning disabled (N=51) university students scored poorly on all five subtests. (DB)

A single subject ABAB design was employed to determine the effectiveness of the Feingold Kaiser Permanente (K-P) diet in the treatment of a six-year-old hyperkinetic male. Results indicated the K-P diet was effective in controlling the subject's hyperkinesis, nutritionally adequate, and moderately difficult to implement. (Author/DB)