Screening For Learning Disabilities Research Articles

Applying the Discrepancy Consistency Method on CAS-2: Brief Data in a Sample of Greek-Speaking Children.

This study aimed to examine whether we could use the discrepancy consistency method on CAS-2: Brief data collected in Cyprus. A total of 438 Grade 6 children (201 boys, 237 girls, Mage = 135.75 months, SD = 4.05 months) from Cyprus were assessed on the Cognitive Assessment System-2: Brief that is used to operationalize four neurocognitive processes, namely Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive (PASS) processing. They were also assessed on two measures of reading (Wordchains and CBM-Maze) and mathematics (Mathematics Achievement Test and Mathematics Reasoning Test). The results showed that 31.5% of our sample had a PASS disorder, and 8% to 10% of our sample had both a PASS disorder and an academic disorder. These numbers are similar to those reported in previous studies that used DCM in North America and suggest that the method can be used to inform instruction, particularly in places where no screening for learning disabilities is available.

Exploring the short-term impact of using the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire in a service for people experiencing homelessness

Exploring the short-term impact of using the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire in a service for people experiencing homelessness

Evaluating the Impact of Training Teachers to Identify Learning Disabilities: A Pre-experimental Study on Knowledge Enhancement.

Introduction Learning disability (LD) affects many school-going children and is seldom recognized or treated. As teachers spend time with students, they can easily recognize LD by observing academic activities and behaviors. In this context, the present study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices of teachers regarding LD and evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on teachers' knowledge regarding LD and its screening and referral. Methods A pre-experimental study, including pre-post interventional assessments of teachers, was conducted from June 2018 to December 2019. A universal sample of 150 teachers from 10 schools teaching primary (first to fifth grade) and upper primary (sixth to eight grade) grades was included. Their knowledge about LD was assessed using the Dyslexia Assessment for the Languages of India (DALI), and an educational intervention for assessing, screening, and identifying LD was implemented. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24.0 (IBM Inc., Armonk, New York). Using descriptive statistics (mean, median, and standard deviation). The pre-post test results were compared using the McNemar test. Results Overall knowledge about LD was 24.7% at baseline, and improved to 76% post-intervention (p<0.001). The knowledge for most of the components showed improvement. Teachers with a good level of knowledge increased from 21% to 84%. Post-intervention screening of students increased from 0.53% to 13.37%. The suspicion rate for LD increased from 0.04% to 1.94% post-intervention. Conclusion Knowledge about LD was poor among the school teachers. However, the overall knowledge about LD, its specific domains, screening as well as actual LD screening significantly improved after the intervention (p<0.001). This emphasizes the need of training primary and post-primary school teachers about LD and the services available for children with LD.

Okul Öncesi Dönemde Özel Öğrenme Güçlüğü Risk Durumlarının Çeşitli Değişkenler Açısından İncelenmesi

Children with specific learning difficulties are known to show risk indicators during the preschool period. In this sense, it is stated that preschool period is a critical period in early diagnosis and intervention of specific learning disabilities. However, it is seen that there are few studies on early diagnosis and intervention of specific learning disabilities in preschool period. Therefore, the aim of this research is determined as the examination of the risk situations of specific learning difficulties in the preschool period in terms of parent, teacher, and child-specific characteristics. This study is a mixed-methods research conducted on the assessment of the skills of preschool children as indicators of specific learning difficulties through different variables from the perspectives of the child, teacher, and parent. The study group of the research consists of 160 children receiving preschool education in the 2021-2022 academic year in the province of Mersin. In this study, the "Teacher Demographic Information Form," "Parent Demographic Information Form," and "Specific Learning Disability Screening Scale for 60-72-month-old children with specific learning difficulties" developed for this study, along with the "Observation Form," were used as data collection tools. In the research, the "Specific Learning Disability Screening Scale" was applied to 160 children, and these children were observed by the researchers. By comparing the scale and observation results in the research, the indicators of specific learning difficulties in children were evaluated, and it was determined that the children showed signs of a risk of specific learning difficulties. Additionally, in this study, it was found that the characteristics of the child, teacher, and parent have an impact on specific learning difficulties. Since preschool children cannot read and write, it is thought that observation, which is a planned and systematic technique, is important in identifying the risk signs of specific learning disabilities.

Using the learning disability screening questionnaire to help identify people with an intellectual disability in homeless services.

We explored the accuracy of using the learning disability screening questionnaire (LDSQ) in services for people experiencing homelessness in the United Kingdom. We examined the concordance between the LDSQ outcomes and assessments of intellectual disability. Seventy adults experiencing homelessness completed the LDSQ. Staff completed the LDSQ and a measure of adaptive functioning for 38 of this group. Nine participants received an intellectual assessment. Sensitivity and specificity for the LDSQ when completed by staff was 83% and 96% respectively and 50% and 92% when completed by the individual. Seven people had intellectual and adaptive functioning in the intellectual disability range. The results suggest that the LDSQ would be an appropriate and beneficial screening tool to use within services for people experiencing homelessness. More accurate results would be likely if it were completed by staff.

Identifying Learning Disability Screens for Spanish-Speaking Adults

The successful screening for possible learning disabilities (LD) is a crucial first step in the process of identifying signs of LD, gaining assistance and/or accommodations, and obtaining a more complete LD assessment. Although Latino people are the largest ethnic minority in the United States, and more specifically in California, there remains a clear need for a valid LD screening measure that is appropriate for adult Spanish speakers, particularly low-income individuals. This study evaluated the validity of three brief measures to screen for LD among low-income Spanish-speaking adults: Empire State Screen, Welfare-to-Work [WTW] 18, and MATILDA-R. The study also provides an initial estimate of LD risk in the low-income Spanish-speaking population. To estimate the predictive utility of each screening measure, 1,040 Spanish-speaking adults were administered each of the three screens and then assessed for indications of LD using multiple scoring methods (Bateria Discrepancy Diagnosis [BDD], pattern of strengths and weaknesses [PSW], and DSM-5). The translated WTW 18 Screen and the MATILDA-R appeared most promising. A culturally-sensitive, validated LD screen will help ensure that social workers and other helping professionals have access to appropriate and legally required interventions for this marginalized population.

Exploring the similarities and differences amongst service users with and without learning disabilities attending Saint Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

People with learning disabilities are over-represented amongst Sexual Assault Referral Centre service users. This work aims to explore the similarities and differences between service users with and without learning disabilities. Medical notes of 52 service users likely to have a learning disability were compared with 52 service users not likely to have a learning disability (according to the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire); all of whom attended Saint Marys SARC for a forensic medical examination during a 12-month period. Significant associations were found between the likelihood of learning disability and relationship to perpetrator; location of assault; alcohol use; time taken to present to SARC; domestic violence; self-harm; suicide attempts and mental health service involvement. People with learning disabilities in the sexually assaulted population are more likely to present with intersecting vulnerabilities emphasising the need for timely, accessible and appropriate patient-centred care for this group.

Development of Specific Learning Disability Screening Scale

It is known that students with Specific Learning Disability (SLD) are noticed because of the difficulties they experience in academic lessons, especially in primary school years. Especially the difficulties they experience in reading, spelling mistakes, problems in arithmetic skills, attention problems, inability in taking responsibility and communication skills attract attention. The scale, which was developed in Turkey in order to identify students suspected of having SLD during the primary school years and between the ages of 8-11, by their teachers, is a five-points Likert type, 7-factors and 39-items measurement tool. The study was carried out with teachers working with students with Special Learning Disability in Ministry of Education and Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers in the 2019-2020 academic year. A total of 401 classroom teachers and special education teachers from Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Çorum, Erzurum, Gaziantep, Isparta, İzmir, İstanbul, Kayseri, Konya, Sivas and Trabzon provinces participated in the study. In data analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were performed and a seven-factors structure was found. It was determined that seven-factors explained 73,224% of the total variance. The factors were as follows: writing process, communication skills, literacy skill, taking responsibility, attention skills, arithmetic skills and skill of recognition the numbers. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.963 and the RMSEA value was 0,063.

Association between developmental dyslexia and anxiety/depressive symptoms among children in China: The chain mediating of time spent on homework and stress

Background: The relationship between dyslexia and anxiety/depressive symptoms among children in China is unclear. Besides, the pathways to explain the risks are also undefined.Methods: 3993 primary school students from grade 2 to 6 were recruited in this study. The Dyslexia Checklist for Chinese Children and the Pupil Rating Scale-Revised Screening for Learning Disabilities were used to filter the dyslexic children. The Chinese perceived stress scale, the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, and the Children's Depression Inventory–Short Form were used separately to assess stress, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms of the children. Time spent on homework was obtained by asking their parents: "How long does it take the children to complete the homework every day?". The chain mediation models were examined using SPSS PROCESS macro 3.3 software.Results: Dyslexic children spend more time on homework (2.61±1.15), and have higher scores for depression (4.75±3.60) and stress (26.55±7.40) compared to normal children (1.87±0.77, 3.25±3.32, and 23.20±8.43, respectively). The differences are statistically significant (all P<0.01). There is no direct association between dyslexia and anxiety symptoms, while dyslexia has a direct link with depressive symptoms. Dyslexia could affect anxiety/depressive symptoms via the independent mediating effect of stress and the chain mediating effect of time spent on homework and stress. The total indirect effect is 0.21 and 0.25, respectively.Limitations: The data used in our study is self-reported and this is a cross-sectional study.Conclusions: Time spent on homework and stress could mediate the association between dyslexia and anxiety/depressive symptoms.

The use of an impact framework to evaluate the impact of research on policy and practice: Screening questionnaires for intellectual disability

Abstract There is an increasing emphasis on the importance of research having an impact on policy and practice. This can be more difficult to evidence in intellectual disability services because of the wide range of stakeholders involved. We evaluated whether an impact questionnaire covering: knowledge production, capacity building, informing policy and practice, social and economic benefits could successfully be used to evaluate the impact of research into and use of two screening questionnaires: the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire (LDSQ) and Child and Adolescent Intellectual Disability Screening Questionnaire (CAIDS-Q). We conducted an online search for published peer reviewed and grey literature, and Internet resources that referenced LDSQ and/or CAIDS-Q. The resultant literature and resources were assessed for relevance and organized according to the categories outlined in the impact questionnaire. Evidence was found for all the areas of impact, with the largest body of evidence being in relation to informing policy and practice and social benefits and the least for economic benefits. The impact questionnaire provided the basis for a comprehensive and useful evaluative framework to assess impact, although there was some overlap between the different categories. The process of using it highlighted some wider issues to consider when attempting to evaluate impact. The results indicated that the research underpinning the LDSQ and CAIDS-Q had resulted in significant, generally positive, and wide-reaching impact on policy and practice in intellectual disability and other services, resulting in a number of positive outcomes.

Learning disability screening: impact on prison programmes

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine staff views’ of the usefulness of the Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) screening tools for learning disability and/or learning challenges (LDC) on offending behaviour programme selection and programme participant’s learning experiences.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 11 treatment managers (TMs) and 10 programme graduates across 4 prison sites, from a range of HMPPS accredited programmes were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed, analysed and interpreted using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) method of thematic analysis.FindingsOverall, TMs found the screening tools useful in aiding programme allocation decisions, particularly, in terms of the triangulated approach and were, in general, using them in line with the guidance. A number of key factors influenced programme allocation decisions, including participant factors, information gathered from a number of sources and from a range of staff and in collaboration with the individual. The importance of being responsive to the needs of the individual was highlighted. Group participants generally felt they were on the right programme according to their needs and found the programmes responsive. Suggestions for further research and improving programme selection are made.Research limitations/implicationsData were collected from four prisons, each providing a number of different accredited programmes. Caution is, therefore, needed when generalising the findings.Originality/valueThis research contributes to ensuring that those with LDC have equality of opportunity in reducing their risk of reoffending through accessing HMPPS accredited offending behaviour programmes most responsive to their learning needs. It also contributes to the growing evidence base about the effective use of LDC screening tools in forensic settings.

The disproportionately high prevalence of learning disabilities amongst adults attending Saint Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

There is a dearth of reliable data on sexual assault prevalence amongst people with learning disabilities. This work aims to identify the prevalence of learning disabilities amongst adult clients attending Saint Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre and ascertain the similarities/differences amongst clients with learning disabilities as compared to clients without. A short validated Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire was completed by adult clients attending Saint Marys for a forensic medical examination during a twelve-month period. Amongst 679 clients who attended for an FME and completed the LDSQ, 8.2% were likely to have a learning disability and the presence of self-reported: mental health issues (X2 =11.24, p=.001), self-harm (X2 =5.63, p=.017) and substance misuse (X2 =13.15906, p=.001). Consistent with the broader literature, people with learning disability were over-represented in the sexually assaulted population emphasizing the importance of timely, accessible and appropriate patient-centred care for this vulnerable group.

Considering learning disabilities and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder when assessing for neurodegenerative disease.

When evaluating an older adult for a possible neurodegenerative disease, the role of premorbid specific learning disabilities or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be considered. These neurodevelopmental conditions can manifest as lifelong weaknesses and variability in cognitive functions that complicate assessment of cognitive decline. There is also accumulating evidence that certain neurodevelopmental disorders may entail greater risk for specific neurodegenerative disorders. We describe clinical cases where diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease was influenced by preexisting neurodevelopmental disorders. We also present a questionnaire to assist with screening for premorbid learning disabilities and ADHD in older adults. This article offers clinical guidance for practicing neurologists in the identification and assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders in older adult patients, which informs management and treatment. Consideration of lifetime functioning has become increasingly important with research linking neurodevelopmental disabilities to increased risk of specific neurodegenerative diseases.

The impact of an adult intellectual disability screening questionnaire on service providers and users.

One contributor to the health inequalities that people with an intellectual disability face is failure to identify their intellectual disability. The Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire (LDSQ) can identify adults who are likely to have an intellectual disability, but little is known about its impact. A modified Delphi approach (literature search, interviews with staff and those using services [n=28], and completion of an online survey by professionals [n=29]) was used to develop a framework to evaluate the impact of the LDSQ. Items endorsed by 60% or more of respondents (9/18) were included in the final framework. These all related to benefits of the LDSQ, including identifying people not previously known to have an intellectual disability; helping prioritize diagnostic assessment; informing support needs; and helping increase wellbeing and life chances. The LDSQ may offer one way of helping address the health inequalities that people with an intellectual disability face.

Screening for learning disabilities in Oman: confirmatory factor analysis of the Arabic version of the learning disabilities diagnostic inventory

Students at risk for learning disabilities (LD) are overidentified in elementary schools in Oman due to the absence of adequate instruments which teachers can use in validating their observations. Teachers need valid instruments so that their judgment of students’ behaviours can help in making academic and non-academic decision. The Learning Disabilities Diagnostic Inventory (LDDI) is widely used to examine manifestations of LD as an intrinsic processing disorder. This study aimed to verify the six-factor structure with confirmatory factor analysis, and test its measurement invariance across child gender. Teachers completed the Arabic version of the LDDI for an Omani sample of 1564 children aged 7 to 11. Overall, the six-factor model showed an acceptable fit after performing some post-hoc modifications that were justified on a theoretical ground. Results indicated metric invariance across gender. Zero-order correlations, however, were highly significant, which reflected that the Arabic version of the LDDI showed poor discriminant validity compared to the original LDDI. The Arabic version of the LDDI, however, can be a handy tool to screen for the LD manifestations and help in responding to teachers’ academic concerns about students in Key stages 1 and 2 in Oman.

Ambulatory Screening for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

Ambulatory Screening for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

Neurodevelopmental disorders in prison inmates: comorbidity and combined associations with psychiatric symptoms and behavioural disturbance

The identification and management of inmates with neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) has been insufficiently addressed in the literature. We estimated the proportion of cases with Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Intellectual disability (ID) in prison, their comorbidity, and associations with disruptive behaviours and with psychiatric symptoms. Further, we examined the role of coexisting ND on psychiatric symptoms and attitudes toward violence. All 390 male inmates underwent an assessment that included the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults 2.0, the Autism Quotient, the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and measures of disruptive behaviours and attitudes towards violence. The percentage of cases with ADHD, ASD and ID were 25%, 9% and 9%. Inmates with ADHD and those with ID had significantly higher levels of disruptive behaviours. The combined ADHD/ASD group had significantly higher scores on global severity symptoms than either ADHD or ASD only. Meanwhile, the combined ADHD/ID group had significantly higher scores of behavioural disturbance than the ADHD-only group. Our findings show the extent of ND in prison, their inter-relations and associations with further mental health problems. Vulnerabilities conferred by ND within the criminal justice system should be addressed via interventions and preventative strategies.

An Independent Investigation of the Utility of the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire (LDSQ) within a Community Learning Disability Team.

The Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire (LDSQ) has been shown to have high sensitivity and specificity to identify those who are likely to meet intellectual disability diagnostic criteria (McKenzie, et al. ). However, there is no independent research to date to support these findings. An archival research design was used, utilizing data from diagnostic tools including the LDSQ, Wechsler Adult Intelligence assessments and Adaptive Behavior Assessment System Second Edition (ABAS-II) scores. Sensitivity and specificity values derived here were lower than those reported by (McKenzie, et al. ). Only IQ, not adaptive/social functioning, was found to be an accurate predictor of the LDSQ score. Results indicate limited validity in using(McKenzie, et al. ) proposed cut-off scores. The authors have expressed caution around using the LDSQ in isolation to identify those with an intellectual disability.

Descriptive epidemiology of prenatal and perinatal risk factors in a Chinese population with reading disorder.

Several prenatal and perinatal factors have been found to be associated with developmental dyslexia (reading disorder) in alphabetic language. Given the absence of relevant studies of Chinese children, the present study tries to investigate these risk factors. A total of 45,850 students were recruited from grades three to six, from seven cities of Hubei province. Dyslexia in Chinese was diagnosed based on children’s clinical symptoms. The clinical symptoms of children’s reading performance were assessed by Dyslexia Checklist for Chinese Children (DCCC) and Pupil Rating Scale Revised Screening for Learning Disabilities (PRS) which were completed by parent/guardian and header teacher respectively. Chinese language exam was used to screen children with poor reading capacity. Questionnaires about prenatal and perinatal factors were completed by parent or guardian. Among the 34,748 eligible participants, 1,200 (3.45%) were diagnosed with dyslexia in Chinese. More boys suffered from dyslexia than the girls and the gender ratio was 3:1. Family history of neuropsychiatric diseases, maternal infectious diseases, difficult vaginal delivery, preterm birth, and neonatal asphyxia were found to increase the risk of developmental dyslexia in China. Closer longitudinal developmental monitoring and preventive measures should be taken for high risk children.

Reproductive health knowledge and sexual behaviours of adolescents with learning disabilities in Ibadan North local government area, Oyo State

Adolescents with learning disabilities (ALDs) are prone to various challenges of reproductive health. These challenges are similar to what their regular counterparts do experience. It is unfortunate that as a minority, ALDs’ challenges hardly receive attention of researchers and intervention providers. As a result, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and sexual abuses usually leave more prolonged and serious consequences on them than those experienced by their regular counterparts. This study therefore attempted to explore knowledge and sexual behaviours of ALDs in a Nigerian city. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 210 adolescents with learning disabilities in Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State, Nigeria (105 males, 105 females). Two research instruments were used; namely The Pupil Rating Scale (r=0.62) used in screening for learning disabilities and an Adolescent with Learning Disabilities’ Reproductive and Sexual Behaviour Inventory (r=0.89). Four research questions were postulated, descriptive statistics and simple percentages were used for the data analysis. Findings showed that among ALDs, the most common source of information on reproductive and sexual behaviour was mass media (29.0%), and the age for experiencing first sexual intercourse was highest at early adolescents (11.9%), followed by the middle adolescents (9.0%) and then the late adolescents (4.3%) . The general knowledge on reproductive health was high among ALDs (86.7%), though access to reproductive health facilities was low, as 52.9% had never visited any reproductive health facility, 21.0% had had sexual intercourse and also 23.3% had been sexually abused. Consequently, the study recommended that sexuality education should be introduced and intensified in the various schools, particularly, the early ALDs to minimise the incidence of sexual abuse, unwanted pregnancies and STIs. Further,, mass media should serve in disseminating information on sexuality to ALDs.