Prevalence of Non-Verbal Learning Disorder in Male Students in Karaj City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Biostatistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: The non-verbal learning disorder is considered as a specific syndrome in learning and reasoning. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of non-verbal learning disorder in primary school male students in Karaj City.
Method: In this descriptive-analytic study, a stratified sampling method was used to select 286 male students who were studying in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades of primary schools in Karaj City. All students were individually screened using Children Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities Scale and 8 students with 30 points and higher in the Scale were diagnosed at-risk to non-verbal learning disorder. A Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (3rd revision)  was administered afterward. Five male students (including 3 persons in 4th and 2 persons in 6th grade respectively) were diagnosed as having non-verbal learning disorder which their verbal intelligence quotient was differed 10 points and higher from their practical intelligence quotient and got 85 points and higher for the total intelligence quotient. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test using SPSS (version 22).
Results: Breafly 1.8% of male students showed nonverbal learning disorder. In fact, 2.6% and 2.4% of male students in 4th and 6th grades  respectively were diagnosed with nonverbal learning disorder.
Conclusion: Given the nearly high prevalence of non-verbal learning disorder in students, early training interventions and providing professional services  is recommended to prevent ongoing behavioral and academic, and probably occupation problems .

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 March 2019
  • Revise Date: 15 June 2019
  • Accept Date: 02 July 2019

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