AbstractBackground: Learning disorders or Specific learning disorders are a group of neuro developmental disorders. About 5-15% of school-going children have this disability. The present study was conducted to assess specific learning disorders among children.
Materials and Methods: 128 children of specific learning disorders of both genders were included. Children were screened for hearing and visual impairments. Neurological issues were also assessed.
Results: Out of 128, boys were 68 and girls were 60. 90 were right- handed, 20 were left- handed and 18 were mixed handed. Medium of instruction was Hindi in 86, English in 38 and other in 4. Gap between the onset of symptoms and the referral was <6 months in 45, 2 years in 55 and 4 years in 28. Comorbidities were ADHD in 40, ASD in 22 and anxiety in 34. Deficits were fine motor issues in 28, right left confusion in 30 and difficulty in telling time seeing the clock in 54. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Specific learning disability is an important cause of academic underachievement. Health professionals should look for early signs in routine visits of children and co-morbidities, particularly ADHD.
