Despite important advances in the treatment of learning disabilities (LDs), the dominant approach to intervention?direct skills instruction?fails to meet the needs of 25-40% of students with learning disabilities (LDs). Research is therefore required on innovative approaches that target the specific needs of subgroups of LD students (LD subtypes) to expand the framework for LD intervention. This LD Innovative Hub addresses an LD subtype that spans math problem solving (MPS) & reading comprehension (RC). This subset of the LD population (a) has been understudied, (b) experiences disproportionately poor response to intervention, and (c) has a distinctive set of needs. This Hub brings together a transdisciplinary team of researchers, spanning learning sciences, second language learning, LDs, and developmental psychology, to investigate a high-risk innovative approach to LD intervention tailored for this understudied and vulnerable population. The Hub?s approach involves embedding language comprehension instruction in direct skills intervention, with instructional scaffolding to explicitly connect MPS, RC, & language comprehension demands. The goal is to improve both outcomes with a unified approach to intervention. This scientific focus represents a unifying theme across the Hub?s Core and Project to achieve 4 aims: (1) advancing scientific understanding of LDs on a high-impact but understudied public health topic to identify directions that provide the field with novel solutions for improving outcomes; (2) relying on a transdisciplinary approach to build the intellectual infrastructure & a body of compelling, mature research findings to permit the transition of this Hub to an LD Research Center and other NIH program or funding opportunities; (3) cultivating a new generation of LD researchers; and (4) ensuring the relevance of this Hub?s scientific contributions and the future contributions of this Hub?s new generation of LD researchers for underrepresented groups.

Public Health Relevance

Math problem solving (MPS) is the best school-age predictor of later employment & wages, and reading comprehension (RC) supports learning during & after school. A learning disability (LD) in either domain undermines quality of life & financial security. Yet, LDs that span MPS & RC are common; they are inadequately researched and poorly understood; and they result in worse outcomes than does difficulty in just one of these domains. Therefore, LDs across MPS & RC (i.e., comorbid LDs) are a serious and understudied public health problem.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Exploratory Grants (P20)
Project #
5P20HD075443-08
Application #
9838235
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHD1)
Program Officer
Miller, Brett
Project Start
2012-09-28
Project End
2020-12-31
Budget Start
2020-01-01
Budget End
2020-12-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Education
DUNS #
965717143
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37203
Powell, Sarah R; Fuchs, Lynn S (2018) Effective Word-Problem Instruction: Using Schemas to Facilitate Mathematical Reasoning. Teach Except Child 51:31-42
Fuchs, Lynn S; Gilbert, Jennifer K; Fuchs, Douglas et al. (2018) Text Comprehension and Oral Language as Predictors of Word-Problem Solving: Insights into Word-Problem Solving as a Form of Text Comprehension. Sci Stud Read 22:152-166
Peng, Peng; Fuchs, Douglas; Fuchs, Lynn S et al. (2018) A Longitudinal Analysis of the Trajectories and Predictors of Word Reading and Reading Comprehension Development Among At-Risk Readers. J Learn Disabil :22219418809080
Namkung, Jessica M; Fuchs, Lynn S; Koziol, Natalie (2018) Does Initial Learning about the Meaning of Fractions Present Similar Challenges for Students with and without Adequate Whole-Number Skill? Learn Individ Differ 61:151-157
Matthews, Percival G; Fuchs, Lynn S (2018) Keys to the Gate? Equal Sign Knowledge at Second Grade Predicts Fourth-Grade Algebra Competence. Child Dev :
Child, Amanda E; Cirino, Paul T; Fletcher, Jack M et al. (2018) A Cognitive Dimensional Approach to Understanding Shared and Unique Contributions to Reading, Math, and Attention Skills. J Learn Disabil :22219418775115
Malone, Amelia S; Loehr, Abbey M; Fuchs, Lynn S (2017) The Role of Domain-General Cognitive Abilities and Decimal Labels in At-Risk Fourth-Grade Students' Decimal Magnitude Understanding. Learn Individ Differ 58:90-96
Rhodes, Katherine T; Branum-Martin, Lee; Washington, Julie A et al. (2017) Measuring arithmetic: A psychometric approach to understanding formatting effects and domain specificity. J Educ Psychol 109:956-976
Krowka, Sarah K; Fuchs, Lynn S (2017) Cognitive Profiles Associated With Responsiveness to Fraction Intervention. Learn Disabil Res Pract 32:216-230
Malone, Amelia S; Fuchs, Lynn S (2017) Error Patterns in Ordering Fractions Among At-Risk Fourth-Grade Students. J Learn Disabil 50:337-352

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