This abstract summarizes trends in disability rates from 1970-1994 data obtained in the National Health Interview Survey. Trends indicate a gradual rise in the prevalence of disability due to demographic shifts associated with an aging population, as well as a rapid increase that has taken place during the past several years due to a greater…

Used the Stroop Color-Word Test to measure selective attention in learning disabled (N=45) and nonLD (N=50) children. Results indicated that LD children have a significant weakness in the process of selective attention compared to the nonLD children. Findings suggested that the Stroop is an effective screening measure. (JAC)

Evaluation of the relationship between hyperactivity and learning difficulties in 1,593 Australian elementary students indicated twice as many males as females with learning difficulties; 11% of the sample were hyperactive; 41% of the subjects with learning difficulties were also hyperactive; and 3.2% of all subjects had both hyperactivity and…

To examine the possibility of gender bias in special education referral and admission, this study reviewed records of 695 students admitted to special education over 3 years. Findings support the hypothesis that males are not necessarily overrepresented in the special education population but, instead, females who could benefit from special…

Teachers estimated the prevalence of emotional and learning disorders in 51,739 children aged 5 to 14 years in Vancouver City. A mean rate of identification of 8.2 percent of children in public schools was found. Boys preponderated substantially over girls except for those aged 14 years. (Author)

A study investigated whether higher prevalence of reading disabilities among boys is related to gender bias in the prediction of reading from IQ. Data from 1,139 New Zealand children (collected during ages 5-13) indicate a significant intercept bias. Boys' predicted reading scores were systematically overestimated, thereby inflating IQ-reading…

A study explored gender differences in neonatal transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) by comparing the reproducibility and amplitude of TEOAEs in 392 female and 435 male newborns. Results indicate female newborns had significantly higher response reproducibility and response amplitude. (Contains references.) (CR)

A review of prevalence studies using administrative classification found the highest male/female ratios at the upper end of the intelligence quotient range for children classified as mentally retarded. Other studies indicated that overrepresentation of boys may be due to their difficulty in meeting school performance requirements. (Author/CB)

A study involving 11,804 British children (age 10) found that when specified criteria for dyslexia were used, 269 children qualified as dyslexic. These included 223 boys and 46 girls, for a ratio of 4.51 to 1. Difficulties in interpreting these data are discussed and a defense of the criteria is provided. (Author/CR)

A study investigated 136 toddlers from 112 families with or without a history of specific language impairment (SLI). SLI was found to aggregate in families; the average rate in families affected with a family history of SLI was 32%, with significantly more boys reported as having SLI than girls. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This paper describes a current national study funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS). SEELS is a 6-year study (1999-2005) that will document the school experiences of a national sample of school-age students with disabilities by following students as they move from elementary…

A study of 4,151 school districts found a clear association among ethnicity, gender, and mental retardation. Sociodemographic variables were also strongly associated with the proportion of students identified. A logistical regression model that included sociodemographic predictors was significantly better than models with gender and race alone.…

Students selected as emotionally handicapped reported themselves to be tense, frustrated, and driven. They had irrational worries, and were sensitively aware of being criticized. Selected students lacked superego strength and emotional stability. Clear differences between primary and intermediate teachers' perceptions of emotionally handicapping…

Discusses the failure to identify learning disabilities in female students and the long-term consequences, including dependency on welfare programs. Stresses the need to modify identification procedures to increase sensitivity to learning disabilities in females and to adjust special-education programs to meet the needs of females. (CR)

A study involving 4,141 schools investigated gender and race/ethnicity disproportionality among students identified as having learning disabilities. There was a clear association between ethnicity and gender and the odds of being identified as a student with learning disabilities. School sociodemographic factors also associated with the proportion…