English

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Identify the prevalence and type of specific learning disabilities in students with poor scholastic performance. Screen the students with specific learning disabilities for anemia. DESIGN: Simple Random Sampling method. SETTING: Government and semi-aided schools in the city of Mysore. DURATION OF STUDY: 4 months from August 2010 to November 2010. PARTICIPANTS: Students who satisfy the criteria for poor scholastic performance, which is, scoring less than 45% marks or equivalent grades for the past 2years or more aged between 812 yrs. METHODS: Students were administered NIMHANS Index for Specific Learning Disability (SpLD). RESULTS: On physical examination to check signs of anemia it was found that pallor was present in 33 out of 41 subjects (80.5%) and the percentage of girls and boys having pallor is almost the same. On assessing learning parameters it is found that in performance of the normal subjects, number of mistakes, omissions and correct cancellations increased as the standard of the subject increased. In reading, out of all the subjects only 2 had learning disability and 4 had learning difficulty. 24 subjects had learning difficulty in mathematics and 2 students had learning disability in mathematics. All subjects except 2 had adequate auditory memory. Most subjects have a learning difficulty in mathematics. 22 subjects were having a specific learning difficulty and 2 subjects specific learning disability. Subjects were having moderate anemia. CONCLUSION: Specific learning disability and micronutrient deficiency screening should be done in children with poor scholastic performance. Timely treatment and support mechanisms should be provided for these children.