ERIC Number: EJ985896
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1940-4158
EISSN: N/A
Confessions and Reflections of the Black Sheep of the Learning Disabilities Field
Siegel, Linda S.
Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties, v17 n2 p63-77 2012
The educational systems in all countries have failed to adequately address the problems of students with learning disabilities. Antisocial behaviour, homelessness, mental health problems and even suicide are a result. This article will explore the reasons for this state of affairs. One of the major reasons is excessive reliance on testing without developing a more efficient and streamlined system. Related to this excessive testing is reliance on intelligence quotient (IQ) scores. I argue and present evidence that the IQ score is unnecessary in the diagnosis of whether or not there is a learning disability. Intelligence quotient tests also do not provide useful information that can be used in the treatment of a learning disability. In addition, one of the latest, and very regressive, trends is to demand testing for "processing deficits", even though there is no evidence that processing deficits are useful for either diagnosis or remediation. One recent and promising approach, Response-to-Intervention, has been developed. This approach emphasizes early identification and intervention and remediation as soon as problems are discovered. A longitudinal study of early identification and intervention will be described. Educators have solutions to the problem of learning disabilities within their grasp. Society will benefit if these solutions are pursued. (Contains 5 figures.)
Descriptors: Learning Disabilities, Testing, Intelligence Quotient, Dyslexia, Definitions, Disability Identification, Response to Intervention, Early Intervention, Longitudinal Studies
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A