NCJ Number
57996
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: (MAY 1979) Pages: 11-16
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A LEARNING DISABILITIES SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT PROGRAM OPERATED BY THE ST.LOUIS COUNTY, MO., JUVENILE COURT IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
WHEN 125 ADOLESCENTS HELD IN DETENTION WERE SCREENED FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES (DEFINED AS DISCREPANCY BETWEEN INTELLECTUAL POTENTIAL AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT), IT WAS FOUND THAT 7 PERCENT WERE NOT LEARNING DISABLED, 16 PERCENT WERE MENTALLY RETARDED, AND 77 PERCENT WERE LEARNING DISABLED (46 PERCENT MILDLY, 31 PERCENT SEVERELY). THERE WAS A LINK BETWEEN DEGREE OF LEARNING DISABILITY AND NUMBER AND SEVERITY OF OFFENSES. MANY OF THE LEARNING-DISABLED YOUTHS HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED AS SUCH, DESPITE EVIDENCE OF PRONOUNCED, LONGSTANDING PROBLEMS. TO HELP THESE YOUTHS, THE COURT DEVELOPED PROJECT LEARN. ALL ADOLESCENTS IN DETENTION 6 DAYS OR LONGER ARE AUTOMATICALLY SCREENED FOR LEARNING DISABILITY. THOSE IDENTIFIED AS LEARNING DISABLED RECEIVE A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION BY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM. IF A DIAGNOSIS OF LEARNING DISABILITY IS CONFIRMED, A PLAN ENCOMPASSING EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, VOCATIONAL, AND COUNSELING OBJECTIVES IS DEVELOPED FOR THE YOUTH, WHO ENTERS A SPECIAL 12-WEEK CLASS. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE YOUTH RECEIVES REMEDIAL EDUCATION, PARTICIPATES IN GROUP THERAPY WITH A SOCIAL WORKER, AND EXPLORES CAREERS WITH A VOCATIONAL SPECIALIST. PROJECT LEARN ALSO PROVIDES LIAISON SERVICES TO HELP IN THE TRANSITION FROM THE SPECIAL CLASS TO COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS. IN ITS FIRST YEAR, PROJECT LEARN SCREENED 232 YOUTHS. OF 147 CASES OF SUSPECTED LEARNING DISABILITY, 86 WERE CONFIRMED BY THE DIAGNOSTIC TEAM. OF THESE, 60 PARTICIPATED IN THE SPECIAL CLASS AND WERE PLACED IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. PROJECT STAFF HAS DEVELOPED MATERIALS TO GUIDE REPLICATION OF THE LEARN MODEL. THE PROJECT'S EXPERIENCE POINTS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS IN DEALING WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES, AND TO THE NEED TO MEET THE EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF LEARNING-DISABLED ADOLESCENTS AS WELL AS THEIR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. (LKM)