Development of a Program to Meet the Needs of Young Children with Potential Learning Disabilities.

A program was proposed and initiated involving identification of potential learning disabilities (LD) in a school population of 600 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old children; and application of intervention measures for children identified. The school's diagnostic team reviewed research on existing practices, explored programs in operation throughout the country, and consulted with specialists such as a team from the Nassau County Board of Cooperative Educational Services. Program development included revising kindergarten registration procedures (such as preparing a questionnaire for parents to complete prior to registration), initiating staff inservice training, initiating a volunteer parent training program, taking inventory of materials for a resource center, and preparing a proposal for a 6-week summer pilot program to identify and remediate learning disabilities of 140 prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grade 1 children. Pilot program plans included evaluation of gross motor, fine motor, and language/communication skills; administration of tests for constructing developmental profiles and evaluating self concept; and preparation of curriculum guidelines. Some of the proposals requested and granted for the 1973-1974 year were for replacement of the guidance counselor with a LD resource consultant (3 days per week), and establishment of a small-contained class of 4- and 5-year-old children exhibiting potential learning disabilities. (Included in appendixes are items such as screening procedures in another school district, kindergarten registration procedures, a staff training session agenda, and lists of resource materials on LD.) (MC)