Social Status of Learning Disabled Children

Abstract

Though learning disabilities initially concern performance in academic subjects, the ramifications of the disability extend into other spheres of the child's life. The Journal has published reports of children's social interactions and their ability to interpret social cues (see Bryan, October 1977 and this issue). This article examines the peer relationships of learning disability children with respect not only to their academic ability but also to their physical appearance and athletic ability. Studies of this type should help practitioners understand the potentially difficult social environment in which the learning disabled child functions. — G.M.S. One hundred seventy-seven fifth- and sixth-grade children, including 22 who were learning disabled, responded to a sociometric survey. They also indicated the smartest, best-looking, and most athletic individuals in their class. Learning disabled children were found to be less popular, in general primarily because none were extremely popular; however, they were not overly represented among social isolates. A tendency for the best-liked learning disabled children to be good athletes was noted.