NCJ Number
56646
Journal
ACTA PAEDIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, SUPPLEMENT 256 Dated: (1975) Pages: 56-59
Date Published
1975
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A CLINICAL STUDY OF 12 ADOLESCENT MALES WITH A HISTORY OF BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS AND ACADEMIC FAILURE IS REPORTED.
Abstract
THE YOUTHS WERE REFERRED TO THE DIVISION OF ADOLESCENT MEDICINE AT KENNEDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL BY THE JUVENILE DIVISION OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY DISTRICT COURT IN CAMBRIDGE, MASS., SO THAT THE CAUSES OF THEIR ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND SCHOLASTIC PROBLEMS COULD BE DETERMINED. A TEAM OF PEDIATRICIANS, NEUROLOGISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, NURSES, AND THERAPISTS EXAMINED THE YOUTHS. TWO OF THE BOYS CAME FROM TROUBLED FAMILIES WITH LONG HISTORIES OF LEGAL PROBLEMS, HAD BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY ENTERED SCHOOL, AND SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF PERCEPTUAL HANDICAPS. THE OTHER BOYS' PROBLEMS BEGAN ONLY AFTER THEY ENTERED SCHOOL. THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT WAS POOR FROM THE START, AND AFTER 4 OR 5 YEARS OF SCHOLASTIC FAILURE THEIR BEHAVIOR BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. THESE YOUTHS ALL HAD MULTIPLE PERCEPTUAL DISABILITIES THAT INTERFERED WITH NORMAL SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT. ALTHOUGH NONE HAD PRIMARY EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES, ALL SUFFERED EMOTIONALLY FROM THE CONTINUING FRUSTRATION OF FAILURE IN SCHOOL AND FROM THEIR INABILITY TO MEET PARENTAL AND SCHOLASTIC EXPECTATIONS. HELPING YOUNGSTERS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES SUCH AS THESE DEMANDS A COMPREHENSIVE, COORDINATED, DEVELOPMENTALLY ORIENTED, FLEXIBLE APPROACH BY AN EXPERIENCED DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC TEAM. FOR ADOLESCENTS WHOSE LEARNING DISABILITIES HAVE GONE UNDIAGNOSED, ACADEMIC HELP MAY BE TOO LATE AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS MAY OFFER THE BEST HOPE. COMMENTS ON THE NATURE AND CONSEQUENCES OF PERCEPTUAL DISABILITIES AND ON CAUSATIVE FACTORS IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY ARE INCLUDED, TOGETHER WITH A LIST OF REFERENCES. (LKM)