DOCUMENT RESUME ED 359 681 EC 302 241 AUTHOR Ellis, William. Ed. TITLE Their World. INSTITUTION National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc., New York, NY. PUB DATE 93 NOTE 117p. AVAILABLE FROMNational Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc., 99 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016. PUB TYPE Collected Works Serials (022) JOURNAL CIT Their World; 1993 EDRS PRICE MF01/PC05 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Child Rearing; College Bound Students; College Preparation; *Creative Development; Educational Practices; Elementary Secondary Education; Emotional Development; Higher Education; *Interpersonal Competence; *Learning Disabilities; Personal Narratives; *Social Development; *Student Development ABSTRACT This 1993 edition offers 23 papers on various aspects of learning disabilities, presented in four sections on:(1) social and emotional dimensions of learning disabilities,(2) creative environments for students with learning disabilities,(3) thoughts for parents, and (4) thinking about college. Articlesinclude, among others: "Building Strength through Diversity: Success through Adversity" (Kristen Lidke Finn); "Living with a Learning Disability--Stress and the Learning Disabled" (Helen Ginandes Weiss and Martin S. Weiss); "Improving the Social Competenceof Students with Learning Disabilities" (Pam Campbell and Gary N.Siperstein); "Learning Disabled Adolescents and Motivation"(Anthony K. Van Reusen); "School Lives--Social Lives: A School Counselor Speaks" (Mark Rappaport); "Project Apple: A Unique CollaborationResults in Teacher Training That Makes a Difference"(Lenox Reed); "The Inclusive Classroom: Making a Difference"(Michele C. Tamaren); "The Community Service Program at Windward School"(Joan Metsch); "The Dyslexic Learner" (Caroline Janover); "It Is Not aMiracle" (Miriam L. Gerstenblith); "My Brother, My Friend"(Anonymous); "The LD (Learning Disabled) Student Searches for the Right CollegeMatch" (Marybeth Kravets); and "Learning Disabilities in the College Setting: A Different Ball Game Than High School"(Stephen S. Strichart). The collection concludes with priority statementsof the National Center for Learning Disabilities; suggested computer hardware and software; and a list of resourcesfor parents such as fiction and nonfiction books, videotapes andaudiotapes, organizations, and relevant legislation. (JDD) *************************************************-:********************* Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can bemade from the original document. *********************************************************************** --4 .%) II LIEW "ORit: il, A PUBLICATION OF THE Lrz NATIONAL CENTER FORLEARNING DISABILITIES 1993 .7z U.S. DEPARTMENT OPtoucArow Oft, d Eduemente fleeetch and Immetemene EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE'S INFORMATION rinZI CENTER (ERIC/ (The document Ms (Nee emducd waved Iron tie amen orwaoon orginahre It MulOr Chaf1e1 haft been made to mummy mettoducnon owner Pommel new Or 004140f68 MIN M1hM 410Cik ewe do nos POCOSIty NIONINOM ethos OEM daimon et cobcy "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATER! HAS SEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER IERICI." I I I I II 2 BEST COPY AVAILABLE A MESSAGE FROM THECHAIR OF NCLD by Anne Ford As all of us concerned with learning educators from other cities, includ- disabilities well know, the ramifi- ing Dallas and Los Angeles. have ex- cations of a learning disability pressed interest in future programs. extend far beyond the formal In New York City, public school learning situation. Learning principals received a workshop on disabilities so often go hand-in-hand learning disabilities, through Bank with other difficulties in daily life. Street College's Principals Institute, LD affects self-esteem and, sub- complete with a copy of NCLD's sequently, social and emotional "WE CAN LEARN" video series. interactions and well-beingin NCLD's Cultural Diversity Task the classroom, in the family and Force continued to focus on specific in all life experiences. concerns about individuals with Often, children with LD have learning disabilities amongst difficulty establishing and main- minority populations. Training taining friendships. They say inap- workshops held in Maryland in propriate things, misread social cues November and March considered and can become socially isolated. to children with LD, through practical guidelines for regular It is painful to see children who expanded programs of public aware- education teachers encountering struggle in the classroom not ness, education, national leadership many more students with LD. able to find solace in their social and advocacy. To help those with LD NCLD's Capitol Hill Reception encounters. Whatever has caused realize their potential, it is vital that and Educational Forum on the learning disabilities may also be the issues involved with LD be Learning Disabilities, held in April having an impact on the acquisition widely understoodin schools, in in Washington, D.C., brought the of social skills. government, by parents and profes- national LD organizations and other Fortunately, in recent years, the sionals serving children, throughout related groups together with govern- growing field of knowledge about the nation and across all cultural, ment representatives. The two-day LD has begun to generate approach- social and economic groups. program helped raise the level of es to deal effectively with the social awareness and understanding about problems associated with learning NATIONAL INFORMATION LD, the serious implications of not disabilities. Social skills, like aca- & REFERRAL SERA, ICE treating them, and the substantial demic progress, can be improved NCLD's comprehensive Nationalhope and means available for through appropriate remediation. Information & Referral Service is accommodating for them. As the mother of a daughter with now fully computerized and handles The impact of educational learning disabilities, and as chair of thousands of requests each month, activities has been greatly enhanced NCLD, it is gratifying to me person- linking those in need with helpful with the wide-scale distribution of ally that THEIR WORLD 1993 has resources and services. In addition NCLD's five-part video series, "WE focused attention on the wide range to the many requests for general CAN LEARN: Understanding and of experiences associated with LD. information on LD and educational Helping Children With Learning Increased recognition of the gamut rights, the leading topics of inter- Disabilities". This past year, more of difficulties should lead to effec- est have been: Attention Deficit than 800 copies of 'WE CAN tive intervention and support. Disorder (ADD/ADHD); the LEARN" have reached educators, Emphasis on the full experience Americans with Disabilities Act; parents, government agencies, of learning disabilities is critical to and the perceived lack of adequate and other professionals across the achievement of NCLD's mission: services in public and private school the nation. For instance, a public To promote public awareness and systems across tne country. forum in Westchester County, New insderstanding, and provide national York introduced the video and leadership on behalf of children with EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS offered over 350 parents, teachers, learning disabilities, so they may AND ACTIVITIES administrators, and community achieve their potential and enjoy full This year NCLD has expanded its leaders the opportunity to meet participation in our society. The work with school systems across the experts in the LD field and discuss theme of THEIR WORLD unders- nation. The Independent Schools the latest on important issues. cores this all-important mission. Seminar Series continued with NCLD continues to provide NCLD's work this past year has its fourth seminar, a follow-up direct support and funding for... extended our full-scale commitment workshop in San Francisco, and Continued on page is 3 National Center for Learning Disabilities NCLD It is estimated that between 10 and 15% of the United States population has some form of learning disabilities. NCLD helps those affected with this "hidden handicap" live self-sufficient, productive and fulfilling lives. Services include: raising public awareness and understanding; national information and referral; educational programs and products; and legislative advocacy. Let no children be demeaned, nor have their wonderdiminished, because of our ignorance or inactivity; Let no adults be deprived of discovery, because we lack the resources to discover their learning differences; Let neither children nor adultsever doubt themselves or their winds because we are unsure of ourcommitment. National Center for Learning Disabilities, inc. 99 Park Avenue New York, N.Y. 10016 (212) 687-7211 1 THEIR WORLD Contents 4 It MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF NCLD, ANNE FORD 0; SPOTLIGHT ON ANNE FORD, CHAIR OF NCID ABOUT TEILS LSSUE William Ellis, Executive Editor of Their World SOCIAL & EMOTIONALDIMENSIO\s OF LEARNINGDISABILITIES., BUILDING STRENGTH THROUGH DIVERSITY: Success Through Adversity 8 PHOTO BY CLAIRE YAFFA Kristen Lidke Finn LIVING WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY- Stress and the Learning Disabled 13 Helen Ginandes Weiss and Martin S. Weiss I LEARN DIFFERENTLY 17 Robert Conaty IMPROVING THE SOCIAL COMPETENCE OF During the last several years. NCLD has STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DJSABBLTTIES- established several priorities on which it An Opportunity for Teachers in Today's Classrooms 20 is focussing its attention and programs. Pam Campbell and Gary N. Siperstein They are: 25 Early Childhood Diagnosis and JASON'S