NCJ Number
45469
Journal
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION Volume: 48 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1977) Pages: 1173-1176
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A STUDY TO DEMONSTRATE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISION-RELATED LEARNING DISABILITIES AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED ON INSTITUTIONALIZED YOUTH IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. VISUAL TESTING WAS PERFORMED ON THE JUVENILES, AND VISUAL THERAPY WAS PROVIDED IF IT WAS DEEMED NECESSARY. DATA FROM THE TESTING SHOWED THE MOST MARKED VISUAL DEFICIENCIES TO BE ACCOMMODATIVE FLEXIBILITY, SACCADIC FIXATIONS, VISUAL MEMORY, AND PURSUITS. EACH YOUTH WHO REQUIRED THERAPY WAS GIVEN AN INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES TO MEET HIS SPECIAL NEEDS. IN ADDITION, FOLLOWTHROUGH AT THE INSTITUTION WAS PROVIDED BY PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND READING TEACHERS IN MOTOR SKILLS AND VISUAL PERCEPTUAL ACTIVITIES. A STUDY OF THE RECIDIVISM RATE OF STUDENTS WHO UNDERWENT VISUAL THERAPY WAS CONDUCTED. THE RECIDIVISM RATE OF THE YOUTHS RECEIVING THERAPY WAS 4 PERCENT, AS OPPOSED TO A RATE OF 18 PERCENT FOR THE TOTAL POPULATION FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD. TEST DATA ARE PROVIDED. (VDA)