Question 1

According to current the DSM, there are three different types of learning disorders: Answer the following questions about learning disorders and the DSM:
a) Name the three learning disorders.
b) What are the three general criteria that the DSM uses to diagnose the three disorders?
c) What does the DSM suggest for obtaining measures for the disorders?

Accepted Answer

a) Reading Disorder, Mathematics Disorder, Disorders of Written Expression
b) Three general criteria:
1) Achievement on individually administered, standardized tests in reading, mathematics or written expression is substantially below the expected for age, schooling and level of intelligence.
2) Learning problems significantly interfere with academic achievement or activities of daily living that require reading, mathematics or writing skills.
3) If a sensory deficit is present, the LD must be in excess of those usually associated with the deficit.
c) Reading is specifically measured by individually administered standardized tests, accuracy, speed or comprehension; mathematics is (calculation or math reasoning) measured by individually administered standard tests of mathematical ability. Written expression is the most difficult to measure, since few standardized measures exist. DSM recommends individually administered standardized tests or functional assessments of writing skills.

Question 2

There is much controversy regarding the discrepancy model versus response to intervention (RTI) in determining whether a child has a learning disability.
a) In the discrepancy model, what two important factors are considered?
b) How is the standard deviation (SD) used to determine a significant discrepancy?
c) What are two arguments against using the discrepancy model?
d) What would determining SLD by RTI method involve?
e) What are two arguments against using the RTI model?

Accepted Answer

a) IQ and Achievement
b) SD = 15; can use I, 1.5 or 2 SDs as the benchmark. Suppose IQ is 95, then If you use 1SD, Achievement standard score would need to be 15 points or lower than IQ (e.g., 80); 1.5 SD Achievement would need to be approx 22 points below IQ ( e.g., 7); 2 SD Achievement would
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need to be 30 points below, which would be a standard score of 60.
c) lack of consistency between states, lack of research support, failure and age‐based model, IQ bias, Matthew Effects
d) RTI: Do a curriculum based assessment to determine levels, apply empirically supported intervention, re‐test after a period of time (e.g., 6 months). If child improves, then does not have SLD, if child does not improve, then likely has SLD. In the latter case, then request a comprehensive assessment
e) poorly defined and vague; does not address why the problem exists, or why they are not responding to the intervention; failure based model; no information about IQ; radically alters how the disorder is conceptualized.

Question 3

Describe how reading differs in individual with dyslexia compared to normal readers.

Accepted Answer

Children with dyslexia use the right side of the brain (frontal gyrus) to decode which results n more letter to sound decoding: a labor intensive process. Developmentally mature readers increasingly use the frontal regions for comprehension. The normal neural pathway progresses from back to front and from right to left.

Question 4

A specific learning disability (SLD) differs in many ways form a nonverbal learning disability. Discuss differences in the following areas:
 $$\begin{array}{l}
\text { }\
\begin{array} { l l l l l l  } 
&\text {acadimic }&\text {acadimic  }&\text { problems}&\text {brain }&\text {IQ }\
&\text {strength }&\text {weakness }&&\text {dyfunction }\
NLD&\
SDL&\
\end{array}
\end{array}$$

Accepted Answer

The answer of A specific learning disability (SLD) differs in...

Question 5

Children with SLD experience many social deficits. Name four social deficits.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Children with SLD experience many social deficits....

Question 6

The concept of "word blindness" was initially proposed by

Accepted Answer

Kussmaul first introduced the term "word blindness" in 1877 to describe a condition where individuals could not recognize written words, despite having normal vision and intelligence.

Question 7

Orton's studies of children in the United States revealed all of the following, except

Accepted Answer

The answer of Orton's studies of children in the United...

Question 8

The discrepancy criterion used to determine if a specific learning disability exists refers to

Accepted Answer

The discrepancy criterion for identifying a specific learning disability involves comparing an individual's intelligence (often measured through IQ testing) with their academic achievement (measured through standardized academic assessments). A significant difference between these two areas suggests that the individual's academic performance is not commensurate with their intellectual ability, indicating a potential learning disability.

Question 9

In the early 1960s, Kirk introduced the term "Learning Disability" to a group of parents of children with reading problems. Prior to this time, the condition was referred to as

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the early 1960s, Kirk introduced the...

Question 10

Specific Learning Disabilities were officially recognized as a disability that could receive funding for educational services in

Accepted Answer

Specific Learning Disabilities were officially recognized as a disability that could receive funding for educational services in 1975 with the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Question 11

During the solidification period between 1975 and 1985, what was the major activity regarding SLD?

Accepted Answer

Funding opportunities sparked a number of research programs initiated by universities and researchers in the field.

Question 12

The DSM?IV?TR (2000) and IDEA (2004) represent two different classification systems that view learning disabilities in different ways. Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

The DSM-IV-TR and IDEA both use categorical systems for classifying learning disabilities, though they have different criteria and purposes.

Question 13

Which of the following is not one of the learning disorders found in the DSM?IV?TR?

Accepted Answer

Spelling Disorder is not listed as a specific learning disorder in the DSM-IV-TR. The DSM-IV-TR includes Reading Disorder, Mathematics Disorder, and Disorder of Written Expression as specific diagnoses under Learning Disorders.

Question 14

The DSM equates functioning "substantially below" the expected level to be a difference of

Accepted Answer

The DSM often equates functioning "substantially below" the expected level to a difference of 2 standard deviations. This is a common benchmark used in various contexts within the DSM to indicate significant impairment or difference from the norm.

Question 15

Regarding learning disorders, the DSM recognizes all of the following associated features, except

Accepted Answer

The DSM does not recognize sensory deficits as a direct cause of learning disabilities. Learning disabilities are primarily identified by difficulties in cognitive processes such as reading, writing, arithmetic, or other learning fundamentals, not directly by sensory impairments. Sensory deficits may contribute to learning challenges but are not classified as learning disabilities themselves.

Question 16

According to the DSM, the most difficult learning disorder to measure is

Accepted Answer

Disorder of written expression is considered the most difficult learning disorder to measure because it involves a complex set of skills including grammar, spelling, clarity of expression, and organization of ideas, making it harder to quantify and assess compared to more straightforward areas like reading and mathematics.

Question 17

Of children with learning disabilities, what is the anticipated drop?out rate in high school?

Accepted Answer

Students with learning disabilities have a high school dropout rate of approximately 40%. This rate is significantly higher than that of their peers without disabilities, highlighting the challenges they face in traditional educational settings.

Question 18

According to the most recent IDEA (2004), a learning disability

Accepted Answer

The definition of a learning disability according to the most recent IDEA (2004) remains consistent with the definition provided in IDEA 1997, maintaining the same criteria and considerations for identifying a learning disability.

Question 19

In the most recent IDEA (2004), Response to Intervention (RTI)

Accepted Answer

RTI is included as an option in the most recent Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004, allowing schools to use part of their special education funding to develop early intervening services for students who have not been identified as needing special education but require additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in a general education environment.

Question 20

Compared to the percentage of children receiving special education services for SLD in 1992, rates in 2002

Accepted Answer

The rates of children receiving special education services for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) in 2002 showed a modest increase compared to 1992, and this trend was not unique to SLD but observed across various categories of special education needs.

Quiz 12: Specific Learning Disabilities SLD