Learning disabilities
Learning disability is a generic term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual and are presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction. There is a spectrum of characteristics of children with learning disabilities. Common characteristics include: specific academic skill deficits, perceptual-motor impairments, memory and thinking disorders, speech-language disorders, attention disorders, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, emotional changeability, general coordination deficits.
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Services and Programs
- Family Outreach Center
Disability-specific programs associated with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and other organizations at Vanderbilt provide a broad range of treatment, research, technical assistance, education, and outreach services. - Curriculum-Based Measurement for Reading and Math
Weekly Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) tests provide systematic, frequent feedback to students and teachers. CBM is one of several validated classroom-based and school-wide interventions developed to increase educators' capacity to improve students' learning and to accommodate diverse learning needs. - Henderson Training Series for Educators
This annual series of workshops provides training for general and special education teachers, with the goal of improving the quality of education for students with diverse learning needs in inclusive settings. - Research Family Partners
Research Family Partners is a program that helps families connect with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center research studies in which they may be interested in taking part. - Services for Educators
Includes outreach programs for educators. - Tennessee Disability Pathfinder - An internet community and statewide helpline
Phone, web, and print resources in English and Spanish to connect the Tennessee disability community with service providers. Referral services, free of cost, are provided to persons with disabilities, family members, service providers, and advocates. - VKC Reading Clinic
The Reading Clinic provides intensive, individualized, one-to-one tutoring using assessment and instructional methods proven by research to promote reading; serving primarily children through middle school.
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Links and Resources
- Education and Brain Research Lab - Laurie Cutting, Ph.D.
The Education and Brain Research Lab investigates learning disabilities, communication and cognitive disorders, and genetic disorders. - LD OnLine
Interactive Guide to Learning Disabilities for Parents, Teachers, and Children - LD Resources
LD Resources is a collection of resources on various aspects of learning disabilities with comments from community members. - Learning disabilities - Family Village
Links and information from Family Village concerning learning disabilities. - Learning Disabilities Association of America
Since 1963, LDA has provided support to people with learning disabilities, their parents, teachers and other professionals. At the national, state and local levels, LDA provides cutting edge information on learning disabilities, practical solutions, and a comprehensive network of resources. - National Center on the Response to Intervention
Rigorous implementation of RTI includes a combination of high quality, culturally and linguistically responsive instruction; assessment; and evidence-based intervention. Comprehensive RTI implementation will contribute to more meaningful identification of learning and behavioral problems, improve instructional quality, provide all students with the best opportunities to succeed in school, and assist with the identification of learning disabilities and other disabilities. - The IRIS Center
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the IRIS Center develops training enhancement materials to be used by faculty and professional development providers for the preparation of current and future school personnel.
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StudyFinder - Participate in a study related to Learning disabilities
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center researchers need subjects to complete the studies listed below.
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- New Approaches to Developing Reading and Math Programs for Students with Serious Learning Problems
February 27, 2013
Intervention 2.0 Series
Doug Fuchs, Ph.D., Lynn Fuchs, Ph.D., and Donald Compton, Ph.D., Professors of Special Education - Siblings of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Over the Life Span
Presentation by Julie Lounds Taylor, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Special Education, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member
- Response to Intervention and Learning Disabilities
Lynn Fuchs, Ph.D., and Doug Fuchs, Ph.D. present as part of the Developmental Disabilities Grand Rounds, Fall 2008 series.
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In the News
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