Recollections of learning-disabled adolescents of their schooling experiences: a qualitative study.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the actual impact of the schooling experience on adolescents with specific learning disability (SpLD).


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the recollections of adolescents with SpLD who were undergoing education in regular mainstream schools.


METHODS
Prospective interview-based study conducted in our clinic.


METHODS
Adolescents' responses to a semi-structured interview were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and interpreted by content analysis. The number of participants was determined by 'saturation sampling,' resulting in a total of 30 adolescents.


RESULTS
Twelve (40%) adolescents had 'overall' neutral recollections, 9 (30%) had 'overall' positive recollections and 9 (30%) had 'overall' negative recollections about having SpLD during their schooling. Fourteen (46.7%) adolescents stated 'getting provisions' as good features, whereas 7 (23.3%) stated 'feeling different from classmates' and 6 (20%) stated 'being teased by classmates about their disability' as bad features of having SpLD. Nineteen (63.3%) adolescents remembered classroom teachers being supportive, while 7 (23.3%) remembered being insulted by them. Of the 21 adolescents who had undergone remedial education, only 10 (47.6%) acknowledged that it had benefited them. Twenty-one (70%) adolescents stated that availing provisions helped in getting better marks in examinations. Ten (33.3%) adolescents had negative recollections about their parents' behavior in relation to their disability. Twenty (66.7%) adolescents wanted changes in their school to help students with SpLD.


CONCLUSIONS
Improving the knowledge of classroom teachers, classmates and family members about SpLD and about the rationale of provisions will help reduce the unpleasant experiences students with SpLD undergo during their schooling years.
Karande
Sunil
S
Learning Disability Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai, India. karandesunil@yahoo.com
Mahajan
Vidur
V
Kulkarni
Madhuri
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011287:Prejudice; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012574:Schools; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013637:Tape Recording