Children+not+in+the+norm

http://www.ldonline.org/article/6311 This article describes "executive dysfunction" which is where students have difficulty being organized, getting their work done, and so forth. Executive dysfunction is an issue across a range of diagnoses, including learning disabilities, autism spectrum, and even gifted students who have never had to work very hard.

http://www.ldonline.org/article/20543 This is instruction for parents on creating a "how to" manual for dealing with their special needs child (in this case LD). But this might also be something good to have students write for themselves, especially if you are concerned about how to help students in grade levels beyond your own grade (in other words, 8th graders writing this to help them get through high school). In this case, it would be metacognitive information about how they learn.

http://www.nccbuscc.org/cchd/povertyusa/map.htm Poverty can have a significant effect on students. Here is a map of poverty in the U.S.

http://www.addcoach4u.com/positivesofadd.html We tend to think of the deficits of children with ADHD and ADD. In fact, there are strengths, which this website points out.