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A B
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F G H
I J K
L M N
O P Q
R S T
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Language
A system used by a group of people for giving meaning to sounds, words,
gestures, and other symbols to enable communication with one another. Languages
can use vocal or nonvocal symbols, or use movements and physical symbols instead
of sounds.
Language Experience Method
Individuals or groups of students dictate stories about their experiences to
their teacher. Students later use these dictated stories as reading material and
in different sentence-building exercises.
Lateral Confusion
Tendency to perform some acts with a right side preference and others with a
left, or the shifting from right to left for certain activities; also called
Mixed Laterality.
Laterality
The tendency to use the hand, foot, eye, and ear on a particular side of the
body.
Learning Channel
A description of the modes with which a learner receives and sends information
in performing a given learning task (i.e. see/say, hear/write).
Learning Disabilities (LD)
Disability of the basic psychological processes that affect the way a child
learns. Many children with learning disabilities have average or above average
intelligence. Learning disabilities may cause difficulties in listening,
thinking, talking, reading, writing, spelling, or arithmetic. The definition
includes perceptual handicaps, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. Excluded are
learning difficulties caused by: visual, hearing, or motor handicaps, mental
retardation, emotional disturbances, or environmental disadvantage.
Learning Disorder
Damage or impairment to the nervous system that results in a learning
disability.
Learning Strategies
An instructional method that is based on teaching metacognitive strategies in
order to achieve successful task completion.
Learning Style
The channels through which a person best understands and retains learning (i.e.
vision, hearing, movement, touching, or a combination of these).
Learning Trial
Assessment strategy that consists of three major elements: antecedent (i.e.
curricular) stimuli, the student’s response to those stimuli, and any consequent
stimuli (i.e. instructional feedback) following the response; serves as a basic
unit of analysis for examining teaching and learning from both the teacher’s
perspective and the student’s perspective. This is sometimes called a Practice
Trial or Learn Unit.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
The educational setting that most closely resembles a regular school program and
also meets the child’s special educational needs; LRE is a relative concept and
must be determined for each individual student with disabilities.
Legally Blind
Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye after the best possible
correction with glasses or contact lenses, or vision restricted to a field of 20
degrees or less. Acuity of 20/200 means the eye can see clearly at 20 feet what
the normal eye can see at 200 feet.
Lens
The clear part of the eye that focuses rays of light on the retina.
Lesion
Abnormal change in body tissue due to injury or disease.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
A psychologist who is competent to apply the principles and techniques of
psychological evaluation and psychotherapy to individual clients for the purpose
of ameliorating problems of behavioral and/or emotional maladjustment.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
A social worker who, by education and experience, is professionally qualified to
provide direct diagnostic, preventive and treatment services where functioning
is threatened or affected by social and psychological stress or health
impairment.
Licensed Professional Counselor
A person trained in counseling and guidance services with emphasis on individual
and group guidance and counseling; assists individuals in achieving more
effective personal, social, educational, and career development and adjustment.
Linguistic Approach
Method of teaching reading (decoding skills) which emphasizes use of word
families.
Literal Comprehension
Literal understanding of written material that includes the ability to recall
the main idea, supporting details, and story plot.
Locus of Control
The perception of control over one’s fate that is linked to internal control
(where one’s own actions determine one’s fate) or external control (where
environmental conditions determine one’s fate).
Long-Term Memory
The ability to recall information over long periods of time.
Longitudinal Study
A research study that follows one subject or group of subjects over an extended
period of time, usually several years.
Low vision
Visual impairment severe enough so that special educational services are
required.
Low-Incidence Disability
A disability that occurs relatively infrequently in the general population;
often used in reference to sensory impairments, severe and profound mental
retardation, autism, and multiple disabilities.
*See
Reference Information
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