Some Issues Facing the Field of Learning Disability

Abstract

The author, who for more than three decades has been associated with the field presently called “learning disabilities,” examines some of the issues coincident to its unprecendented rapid growth. The field is seen as complex and confused both from the point of view of theory and personnel. Among numerous problems relating to an appropriate conceptualization of the field, three are selected for emphasis: (1) failure to adequately operationally define “learning disability”; (2) the lack of qualified college professors, and, in the absence of quality personnel, the lack of quality programs for children and parent involvement; (3) the threat of class action suits reminiscent of those which are current in the education of retarded children. In combination, these three factors constitute significant hurdles to the education essential for children with specific learning disabilities.