The Link between Learning Disabilities and Juvenile Delinquency: Some Issues and Answers

Abstract

The suspected relationship between learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency has gained increased visibility in recent years. This article describes a research effort funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to address the hypothesized link between LD and juvenile delinquency. The project has been in operation since 1976 and will continue into 1980. The authors present research results achieved to this point. In addition, an alternative to the “school failure” and “susceptibility” hypothesis concerning the relationship between LD and juvenile delinquency is proposed to accomodate some of the major findings of the research.