Social Acceptability Characteristics of Learning Disabled Students

Abstract

Previous studies, in exploring correlates of lack of social acceptance of LD students by other children, have identified characteristics associated with qualities of verbal interactions and social cues. The present study found LD students to be less accepted than non-handicapped children, but attitudes toward LD were more positive than toward other handicaps. Attitudes of 4th-grade students were less positive than those of younger and older students. Children in this study were significantly more willing to have the LD child as a friend or in a social group than to have the LD child be in an authority position. Finally, subjects were more receptive to the LD student when she initiated an interaction.