Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
12:55
Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties
Published on: September 27, 2020
Functional difficulties among school-aged children: United States, 2001-2007
Patricia N Pastor1, Cynthia A Reuben, Mitchell Loeb
1Office of Analysis and Epidemiology, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA.
National Health Statistics Reports
|January 30, 2010
Summary
Approximately 18% of U.S. children aged 5-17 experience basic actions difficulty, impacting their functioning. These children show significantly higher use of educational and health care services, including special education and mental health support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Basic actions difficulty affects children's functioning across sensory, motor, cognitive, and emotional/behavioral domains.
- Understanding the prevalence and impact of these difficulties is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of basic actions difficulty in U.S. children aged 5-17.
- To examine the association between basic actions difficulty and the use of educational and health care services.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2001-2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), including Family Core and Sample Child Core questionnaires.
- Employed SUDAAN statistical software to account for NHIS's complex sample design in generating estimates.
Main Results:
- An estimated 18% of U.S. children aged 5-17 reported difficulty in at least one domain (sensory, movement, cognitive, emotional/behavioral).
- Prevalence rates for specific domains were: 3% sensory, 2% movement, 9% cognitive, and 10% emotional/behavioral.
- Children with basic actions difficulty demonstrated substantially higher utilization of special education services (33% vs. 2%) and overall health care services, including mental health and prescription medications.
Conclusions:
- Basic actions difficulty is a significant issue affecting a substantial portion of U.S. children.
- Children experiencing these difficulties have markedly greater needs for educational and health care services, highlighting disparities in service utilization.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Diagnostic Criteria and...
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
01:28Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
02:04Bullying
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying.