Full Description
This text's reputation for an impeccable research base and current, relevant references is complemented in this new edition by an easy narrative style that grabs student interest and attention and an increased coverage of practical classroom practice issues and depiction of the personal, human side of learning disabilities. The text helps future teachers access the latest research and theory in an easily understood way, so the "big picture" is clear and they can confidently apply these concepts in their daily clinical teaching decisions. With more than 60 real-life vignettes, numerous LD simulations, and extensive illustrations of student work, the Fifth Edition helps future teachers understand the progression of learning, development, and social skills in the average student, how and why the patterns of the learning disabled differ, and why not all methods work for all children. Sensitized to family and school learning expectations and interaction patterns that can promote learning, future teachers learn how to match their interventions to each student's unique strength and weakness patterns in a way that is culturally affirming, takes advantage of instructional methods and technology that work, and promotes the skill set and social-emotional adjustment that will facilitate a student's transition to adult life.
Contents
Each chapter concludes with "Summary" and "Helpful Resources." Preface. I. THE CONCEPT OF LEARNING DISABILITIES. 1. History of the Field. Educational Philosophy and Practices. Advocacy. Research and Program Development. 2. Definition, Identification, and Prevalence. Definition. Identification Practices. Prevalence of Learning Disabilities. II. CAUSES OF LEARNING DISABILITIES. 3. Physiological Differences. Neuropsychological Patterns of Learning. Brain Injury. Structural Brain Differences. Hereditary Factors. Biochemical Irregularities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 4. Curricular and Environmental Contributors. Curriculum Contributors. Family and School Environment Contributors. Implications for Assessment and Intervention. 5. Information-Processing Patterns in Learning Disabilities. Visual-Perceptual Skills. Language and Phonological Processing Skills. Attention. Motor Skills. Implications for Assessment and Intervention. III. THE STUDENT. 6. Academic Development. The Elementary School Years. The Middle and High School Years. The Adult Years. 7. Learning Strategy and Information-Processing Development. Attention, Memory, and Learning Strategies. Visual-Perceptual, Motor, and Language Development. 8. Social-Emotional Development. The Preschooler. The Elementary School Student. The Secondary School Student. The Adult. IV. THE CURRICULUM. 9. Assessment. Assessment Purposes. Models of Assessment. Assessment Methods. Multidimensional Assessment Approaches. Assessment Domains. 10. Planning Educational Interventions. Planning Individualized Instruction. Adapting Instruction to the Student's Abilities and Learning Style. Defining and Coordinating Intervention Roles. 11. Instructional Strategies: The Preschool and Elementary School Years. Preschool Programming. Elementary School Programming. 12. Instructional Strategies: The Middle and Secondary School Years. Reading. Written Language. Mathematics. Study and Test-Taking Skills. Transition Planning. Social-Emotional Adjustment. V. THE ENVIRONMENT. 13. The Family. Families and Learning. Family Assessment. Family Adjustment to a Learning Disability. Family Intervention. 14. The School. Physical Characteristics. Organizational Characteristics. Human Characteristics. References. Subject Index.
