Research
Key findings in research from the last two decades show that having a learning disability makes you more likely to drop out of high school, be incarcerated, need welfare, have children who can’t read, and have out-of-wedlock children, all of which could be easily prevented.
Below are findings of some of the largest and most important studies of the last 20 years.
Uncoupling of Reading and IQ Over Time
This 2010 Yale study found that IQ and reading ability have no causational relationship in people with dyslexia. In other words, reading and cognitive skills develop independently in dyslexics. This research supports the classical definition of dyslexia as an “unexpected difficulty in reading in individuals who otherwise possess the intelligence and motivation considered necessary for fluent reading.”
The State of Learning Disabilities: Facts, Trends and Emerging Issues (Third Edition, 2014)
The National Center for Learning Disabilities released a report on the state of learning disabilities in the United States. This report includes prevalence and outcome data, surveys about perceptions of LDs, the implementation of related legislation, and more. A good read for a broad, thorough knowledge of LDs in the US.
Literacy Statistics
There have been no wide-scale studies on literacy in prison since 2003 (which is a problem in itself), but that study found that 60% of incarcerated individuals were “functionally illiterate.” This website also explores literacy’s links to recidivism and high school graduation.
Breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline for Students with Disabilities | NCD.gov
The Nation Council on Disability’s Fall 2015 report found that 85% of youth in juvenile detention centers have disabilities that entitle them to special educational services, but less than 40% actually got them while in school. It provides evidence for the tragic school-to-prison pipeline being caused by inadequate LD services.
