Articles tagged with Learning Disabilities
A unique training programme co-created by people with learning disability has been launched to improve staff attitudes and empathy. The Who's Challenging Who training course was developed in partnership with people with learning disabilities whose behaviour had previously been labelled as 'challenging'.
A new study found a sharp increase in medical students disclosing disabilities, leading to more accommodations and a potential improvement in patient care. Despite the rise, students with disabilities still represent less than 5% of future physicians.
Researchers at KU will test and design new models to give students with disabilities skills to set and achieve their own goals. The program aims to combine two successful interventions to help students take charge of their education and transition to life after high school.
A new PSU study finds that children's disability statuses depend on their school and peer group. The study discovered inconsistent disability classifications across schools and highlighted the subjective and socially rooted nature of these determinations.
Researchers have created a synthetic image generation system using AI that overcomes the limitations of traditional experiments. By analyzing neuronal responses, they discovered that certain neurons prefer specific shapes, colors, and silhouettes, which could help understand cognitive issues like autism spectrum disorders.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 31.7% in March 2018 to 31.1% in March 2019, while labor force participation rates also showed decline. This suggests a tapering off of engagement of people with disabilities in the labor market.
The nTIDE report shows a slight decline in economic indicators for Americans with disabilities, while those without disabilities experience improvements. This trend is consistent with the leveling off of gains for this population over the last year.
Researchers from University of the Arts Helsinki recommend incorporating dance into schools' curriculum to boost cognitive performance, social interaction, and group cohesion among children. The study highlights dance as a valuable tool for learning, especially for children with kinaesthetic and creative learning styles.
A new Portland State University study suggests that racial minorities are less likely to be labeled with learning disabilities despite facing greater challenges in education. The research highlights the need for early childhood programming and clear definitions of learning disabilities to address systemic inequalities.
A recent study at Boston Children's Hospital found that parents of children with learning disabilities experience significantly more stress and anxiety related to academics, affecting their quality of life. The study reveals a dramatic difference in the impact on families compared to general education groups.
A study led by NYU School of Medicine researchers found that mice genetically engineered to lack the gamma-CaMKII shuttle protein took twice as long to form a memory needed to complete a simple task. The team restored learning ability by re-inserting the human version of the shuttle protein into mice.
The brain uses a two-step process to categorize both visual and auditory inputs, increasing sensitivity to acoustic features in the lower-level auditory cortex. This discovery has important implications for understanding individual differences in language learning and developing treatments for people with learning disorders.
Research finds IEPs are often aligned to general education curriculum, lacking guidance on providing special education supports. Despite this, IEPs play a role in shaping educational supports for students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms.
A three-year study introduced interactive online science units to 13 middle schools in two US states, resulting in significant gains for underachieving students. Students with learning disabilities improved 18 percentage points on assessments, while English language learners increased 15 percentage points.
The National Trends in Disability Employment - Monthly Update shows a 9.3% increase in employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities, outpacing those without disabilities. Effective practices and processes for inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace are identified as key factors.
The University of Houston-led Texas Center for Learning Disabilities will tackle the issue of adolescents struggling to read with an $8.4 million grant. The team, led by experts in psychology and education, aims to develop effective interventions to help English learners and students with reading difficulties.
Research in rural Kenya finds that cultural beliefs about disability are being replaced by medical explanations, leading to reduced stigma and improved understanding. The study reveals that increased contact with disabled individuals can help break down stereotypes and promote inclusivity.
A Tel Aviv University study found that infants fed thiamine-deficient formula suffered from severe motor function difficulties, with long-term consequences for their health. The researchers emphasize the critical role of vitamin B1 in child development and stress the need for regulatory control of breast milk substitutes.
A University of Iowa study found that only one third of students with learning disabilities receive accommodations, with wealthier students being more likely to access these resources. The disparity may be attributed to a desire for independence and financial constraints.
A new social robot from MIT offers personalized learning experiences for students through emotional interpretation and customized motivational strategies. The system was tested in a preschool classroom, showing increased student engagement and positive attitudes towards the robot.
Children leverage their early world knowledge to help unlock language skills, recognizing links between new word meanings. The study found that children recognized new words more easily when they already knew many related words.
A pilot study in 51 N.C. classrooms shows the Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) to be a reliable instrument assessing quality practices in inclusive preschools. The ICP reveals types of inclusive settings best serving preschoolers with disabilities, including Head Start and public pre-k programs.
A new study by UC Irvine neurobiologists suggests that multiple, short learning sessions can strengthen memory formation in fragile X syndrome. Trained using this method, fragile X model mice performed as well on memory tests as normal mice.
Researchers discovered that statins can reverse the learning deficits caused by Noonan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting 1 in 2,000 people. The treatment works by reducing Ras activity, allowing brain cells to communicate properly and enabling normal learning to take place.
Researchers used EEG to track emergence of rule structures in frontal cortex and predict behavior. Participants tended to infer cues of context and rules, with individual variation in structure-forming activity correlating with application in subsequent tasks.
A recent study found that preschoolers who struggled with estimating quantities were more likely to have mathematical learning disabilities later on. Parents can help by emphasizing numerals and encouraging children to think about quantities in everyday situations.
The article highlights the need for a national 'Mental Health Pathway' to enable paramedics to provide appropriate care for patients with mental health issues. The proposed pathway aims to reduce admissions and re-attendance while improving care for patients.
Menstrual problems among adolescents with learning and physical disabilities are more common than in the general population. A new review highlights the need for individualized care and multidisciplinary teams to manage symptoms such as restlessness, aggression, and self-mutilation.
A new study found that 91% of Alberta child-care centres have provided inclusive care in the previous two years. However, many still face challenges, with 36% turning away children with special needs due to capacity issues or inadequate staff training.
A Tel Aviv University study found that teenagers with learning disabilities often have less secure attachments to their mothers and teachers, leading to increased depression, anxiety, and isolation. Strengthening these relationships can improve socioemotional experiences and reduce behavioral problems.
Animal studies suggest that type of anesthetic used, number of exposures and age contribute to risk of inflammation, cognitive deficits. Research findings indicate potential safer alternatives for young children.
A study by NIH-funded researchers found that people's ability to estimate quantities improves across the first 30 years of life, with a sharp decline after age 30. The study suggests that environmental factors, such as education, can shape this intuitive number sense and improve math skills.
A medical student with a severe reading disability overcame his condition through determination and hard work. This experience makes him more compassionate towards patients struggling with similar challenges.
The University of Houston has been awarded a $9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study and treat learning disabilities in children and adolescents. The grant will support five years of research on reading comprehension difficulties, brain function, and diagnosis, intervention, and treatment.
Researchers found that adults with moderate to profound learning disabilities have a higher likelihood of having autism. The study revealed that about 60% of men and 43% of women with severe learning disabilities have autism, emphasizing the need for improved services and training for staff.
Researchers found that children exposed to general anesthesia and surgery before their second birthday were approximately three times as likely to develop speech and language problems compared to those who never underwent procedures. The study, published in Pediatrics, suggests that anesthesia exposure may affect brain development and ...
A study from North Carolina State University reveals that a simple teaching tool improves fundamental reading skills, particularly fluency, in struggling readers without requiring significant program changes. The HELPS program demonstrates significant advances in reading comprehension and basic reading skills.
A study reveals that a poor intuitive sense of numbers can lead to math learning disabilities and difficulty achieving basic math proficiency. Children with math learning disability perform significantly worse on number tasks compared to their peers, highlighting the complexity of determining the underlying causes of math difficulties.
Scientists have successfully developed a technique to decode brain signals associated with speech and movement. By analyzing frequency of brain wave activity, patients can learn to control a computer cursor by thinking or saying specific sounds, marking the beginning of 'reading minds' technology.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have found that deleting a certain gene in mice can improve their learning and memory abilities. The RGS14 gene, which is primarily active in one region of the hippocampus, appears to limit some forms of learning and memory when present.
Research shows two major federal programs, TANF and WIA, inadequately assist people with physical or mental health impairments. Counselors lack training to help clients with disabilities, perpetuating low self-esteem and disempowerment.
A series of studies published in Neuropsychology found that Arabic's visual complexity affects the right hemisphere's role in decoding text. Reading acquisition in Arabic is harder due to its unique script, requiring more practice and pedagogic effort.
Researchers at UC's College of Education will develop an interactive software suite called iFIG to enhance student learning in science. The system features three components: digital handbook, digital notebook, and assessment system, designed around Universal Design for Learning framework.
A study by UCLA researchers found that NF1 genetic mutations disrupt working memory in the brain's prefrontal cortex, hindering communication between brain cells. The excess GABA release hampers neural activity, leading to reduced success rates in memory tasks.
A novel brain receptor, alpha4-beta-delta, emerges at puberty and impairs spatial learning. However, reversing this effect with a stress steroid may facilitate learning, offering new strategies for adolescents with learning disabilities.
Research suggests that adult learners can easily recognize and identify words in a second language when spoken in the accent of their native speaker, not the 'original' accent. This challenges traditional teaching methods used in many adult schools.
A study of over 2,000 identical twins found that early-life medical problems are associated with an individual's risk for developing learning disabilities, rather than anesthesia exposure. The research suggests that screening for learning problems should take place before surgery.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that children exposed to general anesthesia during C-section delivery have no higher risk of learning disabilities. Babies delivered via Cesarean with epidural anesthesia had a reduced risk of learning disabilities compared to those delivered vaginally or with general anesthesia.
Researchers discover synaptotagmin-IV (Syt-IV) regulates synaptic plasticity, keeping connections between nerve cells optimal for learning and memory. The study's findings may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
A study of over 200 families with learning disabilities has discovered nine new genes on the X chromosome associated with the condition. The research highlights the challenges of identifying genetic causes and cautions against assuming that a knocked-out gene is causing a disease.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that children who require multiple surgeries under anesthesia during their first three years of life are at higher risk of developing learning disabilities later. The study, which analyzed data from over 5,000 children, suggests a possible link between anesthetic exposure and brain development.
Researchers found that differences between pre-K reading-disabled children and their peers diminished by pre-first grade, except for phonological awareness. Phonological awareness skills distinguished the groups at Pre-K and Pre-1, suggesting this skill is a strong predictor of reading disability.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a decision-making instrument called the Test Accessibility and Modification Inventory (TAMI) to address the issue of accessibility for students with special needs. The tool helps test developers apply principles of universal design to create more inclusive assessments.
A randomized trial of simvastatin on cognitive function in children with NF1 found no significant improvement, but a potential benefit in object assembly scores. The study suggests that statins may not be effective in ameliorating cognitive deficits associated with the genetic disorder.
Young songbirds babble before learning to sing, using two separate brain pathways for learning and production. Disabling these pathways reveals surprising similarities with human learning behaviors.
A University of Houston professor found a new side effect of lead exposure: obesity in male mice born to mothers exposed to varying levels of lead. The study suggests that the link may be related to testosterone or other hormones, and highlights the need for lower acceptable lead exposure rates for pregnant women and children.
Researchers at MIT have found that the body's innate ability to adapt to recurring stimuli can be leveraged to design more effective and less costly artificial respirators. By taking into account a patient's natural breathing rhythm, doctors may be able to minimize the need for induced sedation or paralysis.
A systematic review found that psychological counseling and learning coping skills can significantly decrease arthritis-related disability and improve quality of life. The study analyzed 27 randomized controlled trials involving 3,409 patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Neural prostheses aim to restore function through electrical stimulation to damaged motor neural circuits, exploiting brain plasticity to enhance treatment outcomes. By engaging the brain in a remediation process, devices can be designed to promote plastic adaptation and optimize performance.
Wright State University has received a $3 million grant to establish a new doctoral program focused on learning with disabilities. The program will train students to bridge the gap between disability, assistive technologies, and individualized learning pedagogy.