Learning Disabilities and a Challenge to the Future

Authors

  • G. Thomas Bellamy
  • Edward J. Kameenui

Abstract

Atwenty-fifth anniversary marks a time ofcelebration. By introducing anew multidisciplinary journal to parent and professionals, the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities, appears to be celebrating its past by embracing its future. There is much to celebrate. An anniversary is also a time for reflection-time for a community of parents and professionals to reminisce about its beginnings, and to begin again, de novo, a full examination and discussion of the challenges it faces in the future. It seems appropriate, then, that this year's theme for the international conference called for "Challenging the Future." These challenges to the future are not without some footing in the past. In 1962, Samuel Kirk coined the term "learning disabilities," and a year later proposed it to a group of parents in New York City as an alternative to the medically derived labels being offered at the time. Little did we realize the broad community and sustained commitment that would spring from such humble circumstances. In deference to the unbridled spirit of Kirk and the parents who formed the original Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD), the future is noless a challenge now, than it was then twenty-five years ago in New York City.

Issue

Section

Articles