Some observations on the link between learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency

More Alike than Different? Comparison of Formerly Incarcerated Youth with and Without Disabilities

“…Several studies suggest that youth with disabilities may be less socially skilled when interacting with law enforcement officers while in the arrest and adjudication process (e.g., Zimmerman, Rich, Keilitz, & Broder, 1981); consequently, youth with disabilities may be more apt to be implicated in crimes and convicted because they are less socially skilled. It also is possible that youth with disabilities who have a propensity for committing crimes are more likely to commit person-related crimes due to an impairment in moral judgment coupled with an inability to identify with, or empathize with, the victim of their acts (e.g., Chandler, 1973).…”

Pathways to Death Row for America's Disabled Youth: Three Case Studies Driving Reform

“…The prevalence of individuals with disabilities who are delinquent and have been adjudicated is disproportionately higher than the number of individuals with disabilities in the general population (Zimmerman et al 1981;Dunivant 1982;Leone et al 1991;Bullock & McArthur 1994;Leone 1994;Doren et al 1996). Even though all types of disabilities are seen in the adjudicated population, learning disability, mild mental retardation, and emotional/behavioral disorders are the most common (Leone et al 1991) [1].…”

“…(2) susceptibility (Murray 1976;Leone et al 1991;Brier 1994); and (3) differential treatment (Keilitz et al 1979;Broder et al 1981). School failure and susceptibility theories provide insight into a downward spiral of poor school performance, marked by low grades, suspected or documented learning disabilities, negative self-image, and acting out behaviors resulting in frustrated school of®cials, truancy and delinquency.…”

Learning Disabilities and Delinquent Behaviors among Adolescents: A Comparison of Those with and without Comorbidity

“…2 This is an important caveat because, as mentioned earlier, a fairly large percentage of children with learning disabilities also have attention deficit symptoms. Previous research that found a positive relationship between learning disabilities and delinquency did not account for the possibility of comorbidity (Cornwall and Bawden 1992;Cosden 2001;Keilitz and Dunivant 1986;Magg et al 1994;Malmgren et al 1999;McCrystal et al 2007;Murray 1976;Zimmerman et al 1981). To that end, it may be that learning disabilities in and of themselves have very little to do with adolescent delinquency unless symptoms related to ADHD are present.…”

“…Other research offers little to no evidence of differences in delinquency between learningdisabled and non-disabled children (Malmgren, Abbott, and Hawkins 1999;Murray 1976;Zimmerman et al 1981). For example, Grees and Boss (1996) found no significant between-group differences in the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines.…”