Letter from NCLD (LD News: January 2007)

Dear Supporters and Constituents,

As we bring in the New Year, we look forward to the future with fresh eyes.  Some twenty years ago, we found ourselves entering uncharted waters -- researchers just beginning to crack the surface of the field of reading disabilities. Today, we continue this study, with years of discovery behind us, and we begin to take on new frontiers in disability research -- those associated with mathematics.

NCLD is committed to furthering knowledge and resources related to math disabilities, as demonstrated by our Research Roundtable on Math and LD Research, convened in June of 2005. The following November of that year, NCLD hosted an LD Talk with a participant of the roundtable and leading researcher of math difficulties and disabilities, Dr. Nancy Jordan, answering our readers' questions about the new, tricky field of math disabilities. Dr. Sheldon Horowitz, in his October 2005 Research Roundup column, discussed ways to create a consensus about how to identify and provide effective instruction to students, with and without disabilities, who struggle with math learning.

This month, Dr. Horowitz takes on the issue of math disabilities once again, considering the foundational science of math learning for all children and focusing on activities that will unfold over the next few months. NCLD continues to work toward research-based strategies for early math learning that enables students who struggle with math to have the best chance at becoming independent and successful in that area. With this continuing research, we hope to create a foundation for math learning that will powerfully complement our early literacy program, Get Ready to Read!

Wishing our readers a happy and healthy New Year,

James H. Wendorf
Executive Director
National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. 

The National Center for Learning Disabilities is listed by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All gifts made to NCLD are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. I hope that you consider making a contribution to NCLD today and thank you in advance for your generosity. NCLD greatly appreciates your support of our work!