Social relations and self‐esteem of children with learning disabilities

Abstract

This paper reviews research on the self‐esteem and social relations of children with learning disabilites (LD). The following issues concerning social relations are dealt with: (1) peer and adult perception of children with learning disabilities, (2) the friendship choices of these children, and (3) the factors underlying their prevailing social status. Three issues are discussed in regard to self‐esteem: (1) whether the self‐esteem of LD children differs from that of their normal learning peers, (2) whether self‐esteem and achievement level are correlated in those labeled as LD, and (3) whether educational remediation is accompanied by changes in self‐esteem in this population. General theoretical and methodological issues are also discussed. Directions for future research are suggested, and some implications of the data for clinical and educational practices are presented.