Allergies and Learning Disabilities

McLoughlin, James A.; Nall, M; Petrosko, Joseph M.

doi:10.2307/1510588

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…This seems to be the case in our earlier study2 that only general attention and listening skills seemed to be impaired by severe upper respiratory allergies while no major impact was evident in parental reports of academic achievement and behavior or actual school records of grades, suspensions, or diagnosis as handicapped. 10 Third, this reading activity was much more closely related to actual classroom activities in which school children must engage. If side effects of medication are to be of real concern, it should be based on observable evidence of impairments of functioning in reading, mathematical calculation, handwriting, responding to teachers' questions or requests, participating in a class discussion, and so forth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Allergy Medication on Children's Reading Comprehension

Nall²,

Berla³

1990

allergy asthma proc

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The impact of a very common over-the-counter antihistamine, chlorpheniramine, was measured in respect to the reading comprehension of 12 normal school-age children (5 boys and 7 girls) who had a history of allergic rhinitis. Each subject served as his/her own control, and a double-blind design was employed. Each child's parent was given two bottles of cherry syrup and told to administer the syrup in Bottle A for 3 days and then that in Bottle B for 3 days according to directions on the bottle. Parents and children did not know which bottle contained the medication. One of the two forms of a standardized reading comprehension test was administered at the end of each 3-day period in the allergist's office by a trained test administrator. Students were randomly assigned to the two conditions and to the form of the test administered. The mean reading comprehension scores of the drug and placebo drugs were 59 and 60, respectively, which were not significantly different. This study would indicate that common across-thecounter antihistamines should not adversely affect typical school activities such as reading comprehension if used appropriately. Even If some drowsiness or inattention may occur, children's cognitive functions are not affected sufficiently to disrupt learning. O ur interest in the possible effects of allergy medication stemmed from our earlier work in questioning the relationship of allergy to poor academic achievement and social behavior from which we conAllergy Proc.eluded that no relationship existed except possibly in the case of severe upper respiratory complications and indirect effects these allergies had on listening and attention.' We noted that parents who were concerned about their children's behavior were also the ones who indicated that the allergy medication the children were taking was related to their hyperactivity, inattention, etc. Most of those children were taking theophylline.In 1984 Furukawa and his colleagues 2 then noted a significant improvement on measures of attention, concentration, and/or memory in the children in their sample when theophylline treatment was discontinued. In a larger 1987 study there was some evidence of theophylline's impact on concentration. 3 Rachelefsky and his associates 4 found that teachers could pick out the children who were receiving theophylline and saw significant behavior changes even though parent evaluations and a battery of psychological tests did not discriminate them.Geotz and his collaborators 5 compared the effects of terfenadine and hydroxyzine and found these adverse effects of hydroxyzine: slowed down reaction time on a visual-motor task and significant drowsiness, dry mouth, and irritability. Meador and his colleagues 6 also found that terfenadine has less side effects on sustained attention and cerebral processing speed as measured by electrophysiologic responses than chlorpheniramine.In analyzing the positive findings of Geotz's and Meador's research teams, Shucard and Creer 7 make the point that measures of cognitive functioning sho...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Allergy Medication on Children's Reading Comprehension

Nall²,

Berla³

1990

allergy asthma proc

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“…Children with asthma and chronic rhinitis tended to be rated lower in listening skills. Additionally, when actual group achievement scores of 2,343 allergic and nonallergic students with and without actual school placements in services for disabilities were compared, there was no significant connection evident between their disabilities and allergies (McLoughlin et al, 1985).…”

Section: Are Allergies Associated With School Absenteeism and Learninmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…The seasonal occurrence of allergic reactions (especially in the fall) and the typical pattern of frequent, brief absences can be disruptive to classroom performance, attendance skills, and social development. However, given improved medical treatment, self-management programs, and parent education, students with these kinds of allergies and others need not miss so much school (McLoughlin, Nail, & Petrosko, 1985).…”

Section: Are Allergies Associated With School Absenteeism and Learninmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Allergies and Learning/Behavioral Disorders

McLoughlin

Nall

1994

Intervention in School and Clinic

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How allergies affect school learning and behavior---and how to help Every fall and spring many teachers notice an outburst of coughmg, sneezing, wheezing, and nose blowing in their classrooms. Afflicted students E are rubbing itchy and bloodshot eyes, scratchmg rashes, and complaining of stomachaches and headaches. They are listless and generally miserable. Yes, you guessed it; it is allergy season! Besides the additional noise and movement in the classroom, teachers are concerned about other things. They question whether this is a temporary condition, and whether they should call parents about it. They sometimes wonder if the sleepy or hyperactive child is taking too much medication. Allergy outbreaks could not come at a worse time than the beginning of the school year, when the student's full attention is particularly crucial, or the end of the school year, when the student's best performance is required on final examinations.

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Allergic Disorders

McLoughlin¹,

Nall²

2008

Encyclopedia of Special Education

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Allergies and Learning Disabilities

Cited by 4 publications

References 9 publications

Effect of Allergy Medication on Children's Reading Comprehension

Effect of Allergy Medication on Children's Reading Comprehension

Allergies and Learning/Behavioral Disorders

Allergic Disorders

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