Introduction Explain the issue you are examining and why it is significance

The issue we chose to examine is the possible connection between children with learning disabilities and juvenile crime. We feel researching the possible correlation between these two serious issues may help lead to more research of the topic and possibly prevention of juvenile crimes. Learning disabilities come in many forms the following are a few we have found through researching each of these disabilities has its own symptoms. * Dyslexia, * Dysgraphia * Dyscalculia * Dyspraxia (Sensory Integration Disorder) * Nonverbal Learning Disability * CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder) * Visual Processing Disorder * ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder) * Autism
(http://drlindasblog.com/list-of-learning-disabilities/)
Add to the symptoms of these disabilities, the circumstances of life that some children face such as poverty, single parent homes, some are in foster care or group homes because their families can’t care for them, all of these things can contribute to the stress of the lives of children with learning disabilities which can in turn lead them to commit crimes very early in life. According to research done by the “National Center for State Courts” * Between 30 and 50 percent of all "officially adjudicated juvenile delinquents" nationally are learning disabled (LD). * Young learning-disabled males appear before a judge more than twice as often as non-learning-disabled males. * Adolescents handicapped by learning disabilities are "at high risk for delinquency.”
(http://www.deseretnews.com/article/21262/LEARNING-DISABILITIES-AND-JUVENILE-CRIME.html?pg=all)
We have researched several articles on this topic as well as conducting our own quantitative study. At the end of this study we will present our data in a way that will be easily understood and readily usable.

Research questions:

1. Is the connection as strong as many believe? 2. What can be done to increase awareness in developing children? 3. Can change in deprivation affect these symptoms? 4. What are the long-term effects of learning disabilities? 5. What positive attributes does LD bring to a juvenile?

The study on the connection between children with learning disabilities and juvenile crime will enable us to understand the validity of the connection. Many studies have been performed on the connection, but most of the studies do not address the longitudinal studies that follow children with learning disabilities through their adolescent years (Raskind, n.d.). This study will include a longitudinal study that will follow children with learning disabilities through their adolescent years to gather more accurate results.

Raskind, M. (n.d.). Research Trends: Is There a Link Between LD and Juvenile Delinquency?. Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/legal-rights/932-link-between-ld-and-juvenile-delinquency.gs

2 Rationale: Explain how these questions are related to the larger issues raised in the introduction.
Developing children are most vulnerable because there are no warning signs of learning disabilities. Enrolling a disable child into a program with other children who possess the same disability is a start. Children encourage and learn from one another. Although there are number schools with classes designated for children with learning disabilities there are not enough resources for children with learning disabilities. Emotional, social and physical needs to be met without the child feeling like they are different. For instance, a training for learning disability awareness should be implemented in every school with courses provided to all students. Their peers should understand the importance of learning disorder that their fellow classmate may have been diagnose with. Each child with a learning disability should be treated equally ("Students For Disability Awareness", 2014).

Can change in deprivation affect these symptoms?

What are the long-term effects of learning disabilities? The effects of learning disabilities will have an impact if the parent does not take advantage of resources offered by the community such as speech therapy or tutoring. As the child progresses into an adult they will have a fear with emotional issues. Experiencing depression, lioness and low self-esteem because they may feel like they have to depend on someone who may not always available. Another long term effect of learning disability is an unproductive social behavior (”Children with Learning Disorders", 2013).

What positive attributes does LD bring to a juvenile? Almost half of juveniles have been reported to have a trace of early learning disabilities. Students with learning disabilities are known to perform higher in school and develop a negative image which often leads to dropout and involvement with juvenile delinquency. Recent studies have shown “improvement in school and reduce delinquent behavior in adjudicated youth with learning disabilities” (Morrison, 2014).

Children with Learning Disorders. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_Pages/Children_With_Learning_Disabilities_16.aspx

Morrison, G. M. (2014). Risk, Resilience, and Adjustment of Individuals with Learning Disabilities. Retrieved from http://www.ldonline.org/article/6174/

Students for Disability Awarness. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.wwusda.org/