[Clinical studies of learning disability. Part III: Prevalence of children with suspected learning disabilities]

The prevalence of children with suspected learning disabilities (LD) was investigated. One thousand and eight-hundred-eighty-nine pupils at ordinary elementary classes were evaluated by class teachers. We defined suspected LD as a condition with normal IQ (not less than 70) and low PRS score (not more than 65). Eighteen children (12 boys, 5 girls, and 1 with sex unknown) were considered as suspected LD with this criterion. The prevalence of suspected LD at elementary schools was 0.95%, the lowest figure as compared to those in previous reports. The suspected LD children were studied for the LD type and school grade. Verbal LD was not found, non-verbal LD was found in 6 children, and mixed type in 11. In the study of their school grades, the third grade suspected LD children were the largest. There was a significant decrease in number at higher school grades.