NCJ Number
85710
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1982) Pages: 26-32
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the concept of learning disabilities (LD's), the relationship of LD's to juvenile delinquency, remediation programs currently used, and possible treatment strategies.
Abstract
The definition used for LD is that presented in Federal Public Law 91-230: 'a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which disorder may manifest itself in imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations.' There continue to be scholarly disagreements about the relation between LD's and juvenile delinquency, as some recent studies claim that the incidence of LD in populations of juvenile delinquents is high while other professionals continue to maintain that the relationship is feeble at best. While the nature of the relationship between LD and juvenile delinquency is uncertain, there is no disagreement about LD being a serious problem that must be addressed. LD needs are apparently best met through remediation programs that not only deal with the educational needs of clients but also with the emotional and behavioral ramifications associated with learning problems. Community educational programs should inform parents and concerned citizens about the special problems of juveniles with LD's, and governmental and educational programming should provide remediation, along with research and testing that will facilitate the early identification of LD's. Finally, workshops for students should be developed to provide information on the problems of socialization, including difficulties associated with LD's. Twenty references are listed.