MEDICATION, PREDELINQUENCY, AND DELINQUENCY - AN EIGHT YEAR STUDY

• NCJ Number: 45639
• Author(s): H BLAU; E LOVELESS
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE 1978 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES, KANSAS CITY, MO, MARCH 1-4, 1978

Annotation

A PRIVATE SCHOOL'S USE OF MEDICATION TO ALTER ANTISOCIAL AGGRESSIVE, AND IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR IN LEARNING-DISABLED CHILDREN IS DISCUSSED.

Abstract

IN THE SCHOOL'S FIRST 6 YEARS, THE PROGRAM FOCUSED ON MEDICATION AS A PRIMARY INTERVENTION FOR BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS, INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, SMALL CLASSES, AND CLOSE CONTACTS BETWEEN PARENTS AND THE SCHOOL. IN THE SUBSEQUENT 2 YEARS, MEDICATION DEEMPHASIZED IN FAVOR OF THERAPY AND CASEWORK STRATEGIES. DURING THE LATTER PERIOD, THE FIRST CASES OF DELINQUENCY (ARSON, VANDALISM, THREATS AGAINST STAFF MEMBERS) ON THE PREMISES OF THE SCHOOL WERE REPORTED, AND THERE WAS DROP IN ATTENDANCE AND IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. THE USE OF MEDICATION APPARENTLY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEARNING-DISABLED CHILDREN WHO ATTENDED THE SCHOOL. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE SCHOOL'S EXPERIENCE ARE DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF LEARNING DISABILITY TO JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND IN LIGHT OF RESEARCH FINDINGS CONCERNING HYPERACTIVITY, BRAIN DYSFUNCTION, LEARNING DISABILITY, USE OF STIMULANTS AND OTHER MEDICATION TO CONTROL BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN, AND RELATED TOPICS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (LKM)