Diagnosing the Potential of Learning Disabilities

This manuscript discusses the latest research that investigated the understandings and expectations of students with learning disabilities. It discusses the issues around attitudes and expectations of students who have a learning disability. Attributional responses that educators construct result in differing teacher effect, evaluative feedback and expectation of future performance. Once these understandings and expectations are embedded they are less likely to change over the span of a teaching career. This manuscript presents the findings from an examination of the attributional responses to students with a learning disability. Attitudes towards students with learning disabilities, and teacher efficacy were also explored in relation to the attributional responses. The instructional strategies used for students with learning disabilities were also considered. The manuscript suggests recommendations and implications for practice and future research in regards to understandings and expectations of students with learning disabilities.