Learning Disabilities Conference Will Review Findings, Chart Future Research

Major scientific discoveries related to the causes and treatments of learning disabilities will be reviewed and the direction of future research charted at an international conference on May 12 and 13 at the Washington Hilton Hotel. On May 14, the findings and future research plans will be summarized for members and staff of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill.

The meeting marks the 10th anniversary of the l987 Report To Congress on Learning Disabilities, which requested that the National Institutes of Health conduct studies to identify cognitive, educational, genetic and neurological factors leading to difficulties in learning how to read, write, spell, carry out mathematical operations, listen, and speak. The report also asked the NIH to develop educational intervention methods to overcome such difficulties. On Monday, May 12, many findings from several long-term neurobiological, neuroimaging, genetic, language, and educational intervention studies will be presented. On Tuesday, May 13, conference participants will identify critical areas for future research. On Wednesday, May 14, participants will summarize both the discoveries and the next scientific horizons to members of congress in Room 562 of the Senate Dirksen Building from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 pm.