This article responds to a critique by Willson and Reynolds (2002) that argued for the use of the regression-based discrepancy method (RDM) for identifying learning disabilities. It argues the statistical and theoretical counterarguments are based on a misreading of the statistical models presented. (Contains 8 references.) (Author/CR)

A study investigated letter orientation confusions (reversals) in the reading and writing of 10 children with reading disabilities and 10 typical readers (age 10). Individuals with reading disability made more orientation confusions. Orientation errors were more frequent for reversible than for nonreversible items in tasks involving long-term…

Standardized, norm-referenced measures of achievement, phonological processing measures, and curriculum-based measures of reading fluency were used with 40 children (Grades 1-2), including 20 children with reading disabilities. All measures were found to correlate significantly with each other; however, correlations were generally in the moderate…

A study involving 1,123 children investigated the relationship between naming speed and phonological awareness skills and the implications for the classification of children at risk of reading disability. Results found a positive correlation between naming speed and phonological awareness and indicate this relationship will affect any comparison…

A study of the semantic processing abilities of undergraduates with learning disabilities (LD) (n=11) and controls (n=11) found no significant differences on the Test of Adolescent/Adult Word Finding; however, students with learning disabilities demonstrated a significantly greater number of delayed responses. Students with LD also showed delays…

A study evaluated 32 non-medicated male adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood, 35 male adolescents similarly diagnosed who were receiving methylphenidate (MPH), and 77 controls. Medicated participants demonstrated a significantly greater severe sleep disturbance compared with non-medicated participants and…

A study investigated electroencephalographic (EEG) differences between children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with reading disabilities (ADHD + RD) (n=20) or without (n=20), and 20 controls. Results indicate differences found in the ADHD + RD group represent an electrophysiological component associated with the reading disability…

A study examined the effectiveness of a highly explicit, teacher-directed instructional routine used to teach three planning strategies to 20 fourth-fifth graders with learning disabilities. In comparison to peers who received process writing instruction, those taught goal setting, brainstorming, and organizing spent more time planning stories and…

This article discusses the concept of choice and how our aspirations to promote choice for people with learning disabilities are undermined by conceptual confusion. It then examines environmental influences on choice, including staff behavior and other social influences on choice, and characteristics of service users and their influences on…

A study analyzed data on 54 parents with learning disabilities, 30 of whom were Bangladeshi, who came into contact with the specialist community learning disability health team in East London over 5 years. Ninety-one pregnancies were documented. Out of a total of 79 births, 16 children were removed into care. (Contains references.) (CR)

A woman with Down syndrome, who had shown selective mutism for more than 14 years, successfully participated in a program designed to reinforce communication and gradually increase the number of words spoken to one person and then to others. Nonaversive behavior methods were used and response initiative procedures were developed. (Contains…

Thirty-four school leavers over 2 years from two special schools in Belfast were interviewed as were their parents (n=37). The almost unanimous wish of the young people to have a job was not matched by parents, although nearly half expressed the wish that they would have at least part-time work. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A participatory research project was designed to teach eight British adults with learning disabilities about keeping healthy. The development of the project, the recruitment of the participants, and the involvement of the participants in the project are discussed, along with the role of researchers and support workers in participatory research.…

This article is written by two British people with learning disabilities and their health care team. It is about their wish to move into homes in the community after years in hospitals. They explain the service experiences they have had and what they are looking forward to in the future. (CR)

This article highlights the fact that to date, emphasis has been upon promotion of the expressive communication skills of a person with a learning disability and challenging behavior. It is suggested that practitioners need to pay closer attention to the neglected and largely unmet need of receptive communication difficulties. (Contains…