The ABCs of Learning Disabilities

Front Cover
Bernice Wong, Lorraine Graham, Maureen Hoskyn, Jeanette Berman
Academic Press, Oct 13, 2011 - Psychology - 296 pages
The ABCs of Learning Disabilities, Second Edition, discusses major research findings on learning disabilities in children, adolescents and adults in language, memory, social skills, self-regulation, reading, mathematics, and writing, with an additional chapter on assessment. This concise primer is intended for use as an undergraduate introductory text to the field. Written with an evenness of tone, breadth, and depth, the conveys an engaging style meant to encourage the beginning student to identify the “big picture and to be interested in conceptual issues as well as research findings.
  • Undergraduate level text
  • 90% new material
  • Concise introduction to field
  • Covers current concepts like removing the IQ-performance discrepancy formula in diagnosing learning disabilities
  • New chapter on self-regulation and learning disabilities
  • Whole school approach to social skills intervention
 

Contents

Learning Disabilities From Past to Present
1
Language and Learning Disabilities
37
Working Memory and Learning Disabilities
63
Social Dimensions of Learning Disabilities
89
SelfRegulation and Learning Disabilities
133
Assessment for Learning
153
Reading
175
Mathematics
197
Writing Instruction
217
Author Index
267
Subject Index
277
Copyright

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Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 7 - Specific learning disability" means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations.
Page 14 - ... often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness) d) often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly e) is often "on the go...
Page 8 - These disorders are intrinsic to the individual and presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction. Even though a learning disability may occur concomitantly with other handicapping conditions (eg, sensory impairment, mental retardation, social and emotional disturbance) or environmental influences (eg, cultural differences, insufficient/inappropriate instruction, psychogenic factors), it is not the direct result of those conditions or influences.
Page 8 - Learning disabilities" is a general term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical abilities.
Page 7 - These may be manifested in disorders of listening, thinking, talking, reading, writing, spelling, or arithmetic. They include conditions which have been referred to as perceptual handicaps, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, developmental aphasia, etc. They do not include learning problems which are due primarily to visual, hearing, or motor handicaps, to mental retardation, emotional disturbance, or to environmental disadvantage.
Page 7 - One definition of this type of student states that "children with special learning disabilities exhibit a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or written language. These may be manifested in disorders of listening, thinking, talking, reading, writing, spelling, or arithmetic.
Page 14 - Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities (b) often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (c) often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (d) often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to...
Page 8 - ... difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual, presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction, and may occur across the life span. Problems in self-regulatory behaviors, social perception, and social interaction may exist with learning disabilities but do not by themselves constitute a learning disability.

About the author (2011)

Bernice Wong is Professor Emeritus at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia. Prior to retirement, her passion had been writing intervention research with students with and without learning disabilities. In retirement, her love for writing has transformed from academic writing to short stories about interesting events in her life.