Behavior Patterns of Learning Disabled, Emotionally Disturbed, and Average Children

Abstract

The assumption that children with learning disabilities can be differentiated from emotionally disturbed children in terms of observable social behaviors was systematically explored by means of the Behavior Problem Checklist. Areas of communality and uniqueness of emotionally disturbed and learning disabled children are pinpointed and compared with average children. The main behavior problem present in both groups, although at different levels, was conduct problem behavior. Ratings of the child's problem behavior may be one additional criterion to be considered in diagnosis and placement of these children.