Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

Research and Disability Topics

Quickly find related research information, services, training, news, video, podcasts, upcoming events, links and other resources that the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center website has related to these topics.

Reading disabilities and instruction

By far the most frequently diagnosed learning disabilities are those that have to do with language, and more specifically with reading. A common learning disability manifested in reading problems is developmental reading disorder, also called dyslexia, or specific reading disability. Its main feature is impairment in recognizing words and in understanding what is read. These difficulties are not related to intellectual disability, physical problems such as deafness, or inadequate schooling. Other reading-related learning disabilities are sometimes evidence in any of the following problems: attention difficulty, perceptual problems, poor motivation or attitude, poor sound-symbol association, memory problems, language deficits, and transfer difficulties.

Resources:

Services and Programs

  • Britt Henderson Training Series
    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.
  • 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.
  • 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 in early elementary grades.
  • 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.
  • International Dyslexia Association
    The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them.
  • National Center to Improve the Tools of Educators
    NCITE's purpose is to advance the quality and effectiveness of technology, media, and materials for individuals with disabilities. NCITE creates a marketplace demand for the selection and appropriate use of research-based technology, media, and materials.
  • National Research Center on Learning Disabilities
    The National Research Center on Learning Disabilities (NRCLD) conducts research on the identification of learning disabilities; formulates implementation recommendations; disseminates findings; and provides technical assistance to national, state, and local constituencies.
  • 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.

Upcoming Events

StudyFinder - Participate in a study related to Reading disabilities and instruction

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center researchers need subjects to complete the studies listed below.

Video, Podcast and Images

In the News

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Research on Reading disabilities and instruction

Active Grants

  • Response-to-Intervention as an Approach to Preventing & Identifying Learning Disabilities in Reading
    Donald Compton, Ph.D.
  • RTI for Determining Risk, Providing Prevention, & Identifying Reading Disability
    Douglas Fuchs, Ph.D.
  • Scaling Up Peer-assisted Learning Strategies to Strengthen Reading Achievement
    Douglas Fuchs, Ph.D.

Related Researchers