An Observational Study of the Academic and Social Behaviors of Learning Disabled Adolescents in the Regular Classroom

This research was published by the KU Center for Research on Learning, formerly known as the University of Kansas Institute for Research in Learning Disabilities.This study examined the class performance of LD adolescents and the performance of their peers who are successful participants in the classroom environment . Data from live observations of 47 pairs of students (one LD and one non-LD student) were analyzed. The data reveal that the majority of student time was spent attending to work material and that very little interaction occurs between students and teachers. LD students spent more time in reading, writing, and notetaking and spent greater lengths of uninterrupted time in these behaviors. LD students engage in significantly more rule violations in the classroom than non-LD student. Results of this study suggest that there are many similarities and only a few differences between LD adolescents and their non-LD peers with regard to study, social, and classroom behaviors overtly observed in their regular classroom

Application of a Social Skill and Problem-Solving Group Training Program to Learning Disabled and Non-Learning Disabled Youth

This research was published by the KU Center for Research on Learning, formerly known as the University of Kansas Institute for Research in Learning Disabilities.The efficacy of training social and problem-solving skills to learning disabled adolescents was evaluated by conducting a group skiff training program with three sets of youths: (a) LD adolescents attending an alternative high school, (b) non-LD youths attending the same school, and (c) court-adjudicated youths on probation with a juvenile court. Results of behavioral role-play tests showed that all three groups of youths performed the skills at low levels prior to training. With the training of each social skill, increases were shown by each group in that social skill level. Baseline levels of the untrained skills remained stable until after training. Initial increases apparent after training generally were maintained or increased throughout the program. On the cognitive problem-solving skill, LD adolescents showed a slight gain when compared to gains for non-LD and court-adjudicated youths