learning disabilities

 Objective: Reports showed that a cognitive-behavioral therapy effectively helps patients overcome a wide variety of maladaptive behaviors such as anxiety. The aim of the present study was to further examine this issue by exploring the effects of a cognitive-behavioral therapy on academic anxiety of children with learning disorders.Methods: The quasi-experimental research design was pretest-posttest with a control group. The statistical population included 32 children (9-13 years) with academic anxiety (mild, moderate and severe) who were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly (using a coin-throwing method) assigned to two experimental and control groups. The standard School Anxiety Scale questionnaire was used to measure academic anxiety. The behavioral-cognitive therapy program was implemented for 12 sessions, 3 sessions of 45 minutes each week for the experimental group. After the intervention, all participants participated in posttest. Paired sample t test, independent t test, and analysis of covariance were used to analyze data.Results: The average of academic anxiety before the intervention in the experimental and control groups was 23.94±2.18 and 22.87±3.64, respectively, and the independent t-test did not show a significant difference (P=0.39). The average of the groups shows that the academic anxiety scores of the experimental group have decreased compared to the pre-test scores (t=16.58, P<0.001). Finally, the results of ANCOVA showed that a cognitive-behavioral therapy has led to a reduction in academic anxiety (P<0.001).Conclusion: Reconstructing children’s thoughts and beliefs helps them to identify their wrong thoughts about the exam and gradually replace them with correct beliefs and thoughts. Therefore, teachers and practitioners can use cognitive-behavioral therapy to help children with learning disorders to have less anxiety without feeling hurt from the negative evaluation of others. 

The objective of this study was to explore and identify effective differentiated instruction (DI) strategies for students with learning disabilities in mainstream educational settings. This qualitative research involved semi-structured interviews with 21 participants, including general education teachers, special education teachers, and educational administrators from an urban school district. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, ensuring a diverse representation of educators with extensive experience in teaching students with learning disabilities. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns and themes related to DI strategies, perceived effectiveness, implementation challenges, and support mechanisms. The study identified several key DI strategies, including differentiated content, process, product, and environment, along with the integration of technology. These strategies were reported to enhance student engagement, academic achievement, and social-emotional development. However, significant challenges such as time constraints, limited resources, and the need for professional development were highlighted. Support mechanisms, including professional development opportunities, collaborative practices, administrative backing, community resources, parental engagement, and technological support, were identified as crucial for successful DI implementation. Differentiated instruction is an effective approach to addressing the diverse needs of students with learning disabilities, promoting inclusivity and improving educational outcomes. Despite its benefits, the successful implementation of DI requires addressing substantial challenges through targeted support mechanisms. Future research should focus on expanding the sample size, exploring long-term impacts, and investigating the role of technology in DI. Practical recommendations include enhancing professional development, fostering collaboration, securing administrative support, engaging community resources, and increasing parental involvement.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing (MI) in enhancing extracurricular involvement and emotional self-efficacy among individuals with learning disabilities. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 participants diagnosed with learning disabilities. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 15) receiving eight 90-minute sessions of MI or a control group (n = 15) receiving no intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at a five-month follow-up using the Student Engagement in Extracurricular Activities Scale (SEAS) and the Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27. The intervention group showed significant improvements in extracurricular involvement (baseline mean = 25.67, SD = 3.12; post-intervention mean = 35.78, SD = 4.23; follow-up mean = 34.45, SD = 4.01) compared to the control group (baseline mean = 24.89, SD = 3.24; post-intervention mean = 25.12, SD = 3.30; follow-up mean = 25.05, SD = 3.28). Similarly, emotional self-efficacy scores significantly increased in the intervention group (baseline mean = 55.34, SD = 6.45; post-intervention mean = 68.23, SD = 7.01; follow-up mean = 66.45, SD = 6.78) compared to the control group (baseline mean = 54.78, SD = 6.51; post-intervention mean = 55.23, SD = 6.63; follow-up mean = 54.90, SD = 6.52). The ANOVA results indicated significant main effects of group and time, and significant interactions between time and group for both variables (p < .001). Motivational Interviewing significantly enhances extracurricular involvement and emotional self-efficacy among individuals with learning disabilities. These findings suggest that MI is an effective intervention for improving participation and emotional skills in this population.

The objective of this study is to explore the identity development of teenagers with learning disabilities (LD). This qualitative research employed a phenomenological approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather in-depth data from participants. Nineteen teenagers (10 males and 9 females) aged 13-18 years, diagnosed with LD and enrolled in special education programs at three urban high schools, were purposively sampled. The interviews, lasting 45 to 60 minutes each, were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic approach to identify key themes and subthemes. Four main themes emerged from the data: personal experiences, social interactions and relationships, self-perception and identity, and coping strategies and support systems. Participants reported significant academic challenges, leading to emotional distress and lowered self-esteem. Social interactions varied, with positive relationships providing crucial support and negative interactions exacerbating feelings of isolation. Identity development involved navigating dual identities and coping with internal conflicts. Effective coping strategies, such as seeking help and using assistive technology, contrasted with less adaptive methods like avoidance. Supportive family and educational environments were essential for positive identity development and emotional resilience. The study highlights the complex interplay of factors influencing the identity development of teenagers with LD. Academic challenges, social interactions, and coping strategies significantly impact their self-perception and overall well-being. The findings underscore the need for inclusive educational practices, supportive teacher-student relationships, and comprehensive mental health resources to foster positive identity formation and improve outcomes for adolescents with LD.

The exploration of brain imaging in children with learning disabilities has significantly advanced our understanding of the neural underpinnings of these conditions. Through the application of various neuroimaging techniques, researchers have been able to identify structural and functional abnormalities in the brains of children with learning disabilities, providing insights that have important implications for diagnosis, intervention, and educational strategies. This letter aims to highlight key findings from recent studies on brain imaging in children with learning disabilities and discuss their potential impact on clinical and educational practices. Brain imaging studies have significantly enhanced our understanding of the neural basis of learning disabilities, revealing important structural and functional abnormalities that underlie these conditions. By identifying early biomarkers and neural correlates, neuroimaging can play a crucial role in the early diagnosis and targeted intervention of learning disabilities. Continued research in this field is essential to develop effective strategies that support children with learning disabilities and improve their academic and social outcomes.

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of executive functioning in the relationship between parental involvement and math achievement among children with learning disabilities. A descriptive correlational research design was employed, involving 379 Malaysian parents of children aged 9 to 12 years diagnosed with learning disabilities. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling based on the Morgan and Krejcie (1970) sample size determination table. Data were collected using three validated instruments: the Parent and School Survey (PASS) to assess parental involvement, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) to measure children's executive functioning, and the Math Composite of the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Third Edition (WIAT-III) for math achievement. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed using AMOS version 21 to test the hypothesized mediation model and assess the model fit. Pearson correlation results indicated significant positive relationships among all variables: parental involvement and executive functioning (r = .41, p < .001), parental involvement and math achievement (r = .36, p < .001), and executive functioning and math achievement (r = .48, p < .001). The SEM revealed an acceptable model fit (χ²/df = 1.84, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.045), and confirmed that executive functioning significantly mediated the effect of parental involvement on math achievement. Both the direct effect (β = 0.26, p < .01) and the indirect effect through executive functioning (β = 0.18, p < .001) were statistically significant. The findings underscore the importance of executive functioning as a cognitive mechanism through which parental involvement enhances mathematical performance in children with learning disabilities. Educational interventions should integrate strategies to strengthen both parental engagement and children’s executive functioning skills to optimize academic outcomes.