The Prevalence of Handicapping Conditions Among Juvenile Delinquents

Abstract

Information regarding the prevalence of handicapping conditions among juvenile delinquents is scattered throughout various educational and correctional journals and institutional and governmental reports. Research on this topic has been sporadic, and results of studies have been inconsistent. Nevertheless, taken together the studies suggest that a high percentage of young offenders are indeed handicapped, and that the prevalence of certain disabilities may be much greater among this population than among the general population of children and youth. These findings have important implications concerning the identification of handicapped delinquents and the provision of appropriate special education services.

Protective Webs: Exploring a Role for School Social Workers on Behalf of Delinquent Youths

“…Estimates of the number of youths within the U.S. juvenile justice system who have been diagnosed as having a 'disability' ranges from 30% to 60% of the entire juvenile justice population (e.g., Morgan, 1979;Rutherford et al, 1985;Murphy, 1986;Bullis & Yovanoff, 2005;Baltodano et al, 2005;Quinn et al, 2005). A study focusing on the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice reported that more than 40% of juveniles met special education criteria (McGarvey & Waite, 2000).…”

Learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency: A casual relationship?

“…(Murphy, 1986) Literature review 22% -90.4% (Murray, 1976) Literature review (Crawford, 1982b) National Center for State Courts (NCSC) studies (Broder, Dunivant, Smith, & Sutton, 1981;Dunivant, 1984;Keilitz & Dunivant, 1986;Zimmerman, Rich, Keilitz, & Broder, 1981) 10.6% -90.4% 33% -36% 16 -19% The significant discrepancy between prevalence reports has been attributed to a number of factors: (a) inconsistent definitions (Murphy, 1986: Murray, 1976, (b) procedural methods and data analysis (Murray, 1976), (c) lack of uniform assessment criteria (Murphy, 1986), (d) variance of age groups classified as juvenile (Murphy, 1986), and (e) variance of offender characteristics, i.e., status regarding seriousness and number of offenses and incarceration (Murphy, 1986). High prevalence estimates have led educators, parents, and the juvenile justice system to be concerned about a possible link between learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency.…”

Academic Achievement and School Functioning Among Nonincarcerated Youth Involved With the Juvenile Justice System

“…These youth are more likely to be African American and male (Zabel & Nigro, 1999). As many as 13% of delinquent youth demonstrate a serious learning disability (Murphy, 1986;Quinn et al, 2005;Rutherford, Nelson, & Wolford, 1985), but the direct relationship between learning disabilities and delinquency is not well understood (Brier, 2001;Malmgren, Abbott, & Hawkins, 1999).…”