Profile of students referred for the assessment of scholastic backwardness at a tertiary care center.
Learning disability
scholastic backwardness
specific learning disorder
Journal
Indian journal of psychiatry
ISSN: 0019-5545
Titre abrégé: Indian J Psychiatry
Pays: India
ID NLM: 0013255
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Historique:
entrez:
4
10
2019
pubmed:
4
10
2019
medline:
4
10
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Scholastic backwardness (SB) is a challenging problem affecting school-going children. Students seeking evaluation and certification of SB, especially in class nine and ten are on a rising trend in Kerala, the most literate state in India. However, there is a paucity of research regarding this. The objectives of this study are to determine the clinical, sociodemographic, and academic profile of students referred with "difficulty in academics" in the psychiatry department of a government teaching hospital in Kerala. A retrospective chart review of students aged 6-16 years, referred to clinical psychologist for the structured assessment of SB, after evaluation by psychiatrists, over 1 year was done. Overall, 207 students were assessed. Children aged 13-16 years were the majority (61.4%). Most of them were males (61.4%) and from rural background (81.6%). Majority (60%) was from high school and 22% of students were in class 10. Previous assessments for SB were done only in 20% of high school students. About 97% belonged to state syllabus, 90% were in Malayalam medium, and 93.3% were referred by teachers. The principal diagnosis was "slow learners" (34.8%) followed by intellectual disability (28%). About 11.6% had specific learning disorder (SLD), 15.5% had other neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and emotional disorders/problems, and 10% had no diagnosis. Varying degrees of intellectual impairment was the main cause of SB; majority was in high school and was never evaluated for SB. There was over-representation of class 10 students for first-ever assessment. Students with SB were identified and referred late for professional services. Those with SLD and nil diagnosis were similar in number probably reflecting an attempt to pass board exams by availing the benefits of certification. Designing curriculum and assessment to suit the differing intellectual levels of students are, therefore, recommended.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Scholastic backwardness (SB) is a challenging problem affecting school-going children. Students seeking evaluation and certification of SB, especially in class nine and ten are on a rising trend in Kerala, the most literate state in India. However, there is a paucity of research regarding this.
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study are to determine the clinical, sociodemographic, and academic profile of students referred with "difficulty in academics" in the psychiatry department of a government teaching hospital in Kerala.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
METHODS
A retrospective chart review of students aged 6-16 years, referred to clinical psychologist for the structured assessment of SB, after evaluation by psychiatrists, over 1 year was done.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Overall, 207 students were assessed. Children aged 13-16 years were the majority (61.4%). Most of them were males (61.4%) and from rural background (81.6%). Majority (60%) was from high school and 22% of students were in class 10. Previous assessments for SB were done only in 20% of high school students. About 97% belonged to state syllabus, 90% were in Malayalam medium, and 93.3% were referred by teachers. The principal diagnosis was "slow learners" (34.8%) followed by intellectual disability (28%). About 11.6% had specific learning disorder (SLD), 15.5% had other neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and emotional disorders/problems, and 10% had no diagnosis.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Varying degrees of intellectual impairment was the main cause of SB; majority was in high school and was never evaluated for SB. There was over-representation of class 10 students for first-ever assessment. Students with SB were identified and referred late for professional services. Those with SLD and nil diagnosis were similar in number probably reflecting an attempt to pass board exams by availing the benefits of certification. Designing curriculum and assessment to suit the differing intellectual levels of students are, therefore, recommended.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31579180
doi: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_443_18
pii: IJPsy-61-439
pmc: PMC6767832
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
439-443Informations de copyright
Copyright: © 2019 Indian Journal of Psychiatry.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
There are no conflicts of interest.
Références
Ind Psychiatry J. 2011 Jul;20(2):77-8
pubmed: 23271859
Indian Pediatr. 2005 Apr;42(4):315-9
pubmed: 15876592
Indian J Pediatr. 2016 Apr;83(4):300-6
pubmed: 26334861
Indian J Med Res. 2013;138:89-98
pubmed: 24056561
J Trop Pediatr. 2009 Jun;55(3):160-9
pubmed: 19042966
Indian Pediatr. 2013 Apr;50(4):427
pubmed: 23665607
Indian J Psychol Med. 2017 Jan-Feb;39(1):76-82
pubmed: 28250563