luded examination of month of birth data in relation to diagnostic findings using charts form a clinic population of 585 boys. Odds, ratios and etiological factions were calculated.
Findings of the study revealed that neurological soft signs showed a sporadic peak for June births. A smooth curve said to suggest true seasonality was evident in dyslexia for births in May, June, and July. For different five-year birth cohorts, early summer birth accounted for between 24 to 71 percent of cases of dyslexia. The authors suggested that viral infection, especially influenza, during the second trimester of pregnancy was the most attractive hypothesis to explain findings.
What makes this study relevant to early detection of learning disabilities is its implication for early screening. In this regard, Livingston et. al (1993) suggested that efforts could be made to identify the LD effects of viral infection on the child in utero. It is strongly recommended that OB-GYN professionals consider conducting evaluations for such problems and take any required steps to remediate and/or improve the conditions if these are possible.
Some researchers have focused on developing and/or testing procedures that will enhance science's ability to detect children with learning disabilities at very early ages. For example, Huttenlocher, Levin, Huttenlocher and Gates (1990) administered a set of neurological tasks to normal three- and five-year-old preschool children as well as to equal-age children identified as being at-risk for learning disabilities.
Analyses of data revealed that 12 neurological test items differentiated normal from at-risk children at one or both ages. Follow-up of the five-year-olds at age seven showed a significant linear relation between scores on neurological tasks and the Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children. The neurological examination at age five also had had predictive value regarding class placement at age...