SPECIAL OFFICERS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARE TRAINED IN RECOGNIZING THE ASS0CIATION BETWEEN LEARNING DISABILITIES IN JUVENILES AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. THESE SPECIAL POLICE ARE USED WHEN SCHOOL ARRESTS OF JUVENILES ARE NECESSARY. WHEN JUVENILES ARE ARRESTED IN THE COUNTY, THEIR CASE GOES BEFORE AN ASSESSEMNT PANEL CONSISTING OF THE INVOLVED POLICE OFFICER, THE JUDGE, AND A SOCIAL WORKER. THE PANEL DETERMINES WHETHER TO SEND THE JUVENILES TO COURT OR TO PRETRIAL DIVERSION. AVAILABLE DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS INCLUDE JUVENILE CAMPS AND COMMITMENT TO SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE SCOTT-SCUDDER PROGRAM USED IN THE WATTS DISTRICT IS A COURT SCHOOL THAT IS PART OF THE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM. AT AN ASSESSMENT CENTER, JUVENILES ARE TESTED FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES, DIAGNOSED, AND REMEDIATION IS PRESCRIBED. A JUVENILE ATTENDS COURT SCHOOL FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND RECEIVES SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION DESIGNED ACCORDING TO ASSESSED NEEDS. THE SPECIAL EDUCATION TECHNIQUES USUALLY RESULT IN A 24-MONTH GAIN IN READING AND MATH SKILLS, EQUIVALENT TO A THREE-GRADE LEVEL INCREASE. THE WATTS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN 85 PERCENT OF ITS DIVERSIONARY CASES. THE NECESSITY OF DIAGNOSING LEARNING DISABILITY PROBLEMS EARLY IN THE ACADEMIC CAREERS OF CHILDREN IS STRESSED. CHILDREN WHO HAVE SHORT ATTENTION SPANS OR TROUBLE VOCALIZING WORDS, POOR READERS, AND OVERLY IMPULSIVE CHILDREN SHOULD BE TESTED FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES. DISORGANIZED OR CLUMSY CHILDREN AND OVERACTIVE OR UNDERACTIVE CHILDREN ARE ALSO POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR LEARNING DISABILITY TESTING. DIAGNOSIS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY RELATED TREATMENT OR COMPENSATION. THIS FILM IS RECOMMENDED FOR INSERVICE TRAINING OR COLLEGE COURSES FOR TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL PERSONNEL. (DAG)