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Learning Disabled Young Offender and the Law

NCJ Number
94565
Journal
Liaison Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1984) Pages: 9-22
Author(s)
Anonymous
Date Published
1984
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This review of presentations from an Ontario symposium on the special relationship of learning disabled juveniles and the law considers the characteristics of such juveniles and their link with delinquent behavior, deterrence effectiveness with these youth, rehabilitation approaches, legislation, and the role of the judiciary in addressing the problems of learning disabled delinquents.
Abstract
The biologically rooted development difficulties of learning disabled youth are described, particularly the slower alpha rhythm, which is related to low arousal level, a characteristic that consistently correlates with antisocial behavior. Problems in relational thinking are also discussed as being a factor in the delinquent behavior of learning disabled juveniles. Deterrence efforts are viewed as being ineffective with learning disabled juveniles because of their inability to relate sanction consequences to particular behaviors. The greatest rehabilitative success with learning disabled youth has been in the area of education. This is best accomplished through a form of diversion at a very early stage. It is noted that under current law, court personnel must be conscientious in identifying learning disabled youth and documenting the dispositions that have proven most effective with such youth.