title: Psychosocial and Adaptive Deficits Associated With Learning Disability Subtypes.
abstract: Children with specific learning disabilities (SLD) have deficits in the basic psychological processes that interfere with learning and academic achievement, and for some SLD subtypes, these deficits can also lead to emotional and/or behavior problems. This study examined psychosocial functioning in 123 students, aged 6 to 11, who underwent comprehensive evaluations for learning and/or behavior problems in two Pacific Northwest school districts. Using concordance-discordance model (C-DM) processing strengths and weaknesses SLD identification criteria, results revealed working memory SLD (n = 20), processing speed SLD (n = 30), executive SLD (n = 32), and no disability groups (n = 41). Of the SLD subtypes, repeated measures MANOVA results revealed the processing speed SLD subtype exhibited the greatest psychosocial and adaptive impairment according to teacher behavior ratings. Findings suggest processing speed deficits may be behind the cognitive and psychosocial disturbances found in what has been termed "nonverbal" SLD. Limitations, implications, and future research needs are addressed.
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Erica M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Backenson
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, AB, Canada Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sara C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Hanna A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kubas
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Kim R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Fitzer
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Fraccaro
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: University of Victoria, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Macoun
authors.affiliation: University of Victoria, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Gina L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, AB, Canada halejb@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hale
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment
keywords: assessment; comorbidity; identification; nonverbal learning disabilities