A study that compared 20 children with reading difficulties (RD) with severe executive processing deficits, 16 with RD with moderate executive processing ability, 20 with high ability, and 20 who had moderate sentence span scores, found a domain-general system may partially contribute to poor working memory in children with RD. (Contains…

A study compared the effectiveness of phonemic awareness and decoding training for 58 first graders with and without severe lexical retrieval weaknesses. All students demonstrated poor phonemic awareness. Students with relatively strong lexical retrieval skills responded more favorably to beginning reading instruction than did students with weak…

A study provided hemisphere specific simulation and hemispheric alluding stimuli to 15 middle school students with L-type dyslexia and 15 with P-type dyslexia. Traditional decoding and comprehension exercises were provided to 15 students with M-type dyslexia. Readers with all types of dyslexia exhibited significant improvement in reading accuracy…

A study assessed the predictive value of kindergarten teachers on 234 pupils for later first-grade academic achievement. Ratings of academic performance were significantly correlated with scores on outcome measures on math and reading ability. Results indicated high overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of the…

This study examined early childhood characteristics of 82 11-year- old boys with either reading disabilities (RD) only, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) only, or both conditions. At ages 3 and 5 the RD only boys had performed poorly on measures of receptive and expressive language, whereas the RD/ADHD groups performed poorly on…

This study investigated eye movement and comprehension therapy in sixth graders with reading disability. Students received each therapy type for 12 weeks with half receiving eye movement therapy first and half receiving comprehension therapy first. Mean growth in reading comprehension for the total sample was 2.6 years with equally significant…

Tests of phonological, speed, motor and cerebellar tasks were given to 36 students with learning disabilities, 29 of whom were classified as non-discrepant (IQ<90) and 7 as discrepant, (IQ at least 90 and dyslexic). On the cerebellar tests of postural stability and muscle tone, the non-discrepant group performed significantly better than the…

This case study describes use of apprenticeship opportunities in a collaborative writing context with two primary grade students with multiple disabilities in an inclusive setting. Analysis of written work and verbal interactions revealed the collaborative peer approach fostered active and constructive participation by both students. (Contains…

This paper describes how meaning potentials were constructed in the literacy event known as Morning Message, an activity in which a 4th grade teacher and students jointly constructed a written text around the experiences of one student. Emphasis is on how meaning was orchestrated and scaffolded by the teacher's conversational moves and on how…

Sixty children (ages 8-10) with severe reading disabilities received daily intensive one-to-one instruction that differed in depth and extent of instruction in phonemic awareness and phonemic decoding. Both approaches were highly effective in improving reading accuracy and comprehension although measures of reading rate showed continued severe…

This study examined the accuracy of teacher (N=51) assessments in screening for reading disabilities among Grade 1 students of English as a second language (N=249) and as a first language (N=120). Results indicated that teacher rating scales and nominations had low sensitivity in identifying reading disability in either group as determined by a…

The personal home pages of five Internet service providers were sampled and 16 personal home pages of adults with Down syndrome were found that referred to friendships. A thematic analysis indicated the authors could be attempting to present an image of themselves as someone who is capable of having friends. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This article provides an overview of the basic features of the protective behaviors (PBs) approach and suggests that the PBs approach is relative to people with mental retardation, particularly in relation to issues of vulnerability and empowerment. It provides examples of the application of PBs approach in clinical settings. (Contains 7…

A study aimed to apply motivational interviewing techniques in assisting seven individuals with mental retardation and alcohol-related problems through the stages of change. The group met for one hour over three sessions and staff training was provided. Results demonstrated increases in motivation, self-efficacy, and determination to change their…

A study investigated the effectiveness with two individuals with severe mental retardation of Odyssey Now (ON), a multi-sensory program designed for use with people with mental retardation. Increases in interaction and engagement were observed during the ON sessions. Both individuals interacted more with their environment during ON sessions.…