ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILDREN WITH BIRTH WEIGHTS LESS-THAN-750 GRAMS WITH NORMAL COGNITIVE-ABILITIES - EVIDENCE FOR SPECIFIC LEARNING-DISABILITIES

Examined achievement, behavior, and neuropsychological outcomes at ear ly school age in a regional population of children <750-g birth weight who were neurologically intact and who scored in the broad average ra nge on a test of cognitive ability. Comparison groups included childre n of birth weight 750-1,499 g and children born at full-term. The chil dren <750 g performed more poorly than the higher birth weight groups on tests of math, even after adjusting for group differences in cognit ive ability Corresponding group differences were found in language, pe rceptual motor, and attentional skills, but not in behavior outcomes. Findings document specific weaknesses in achievement and neuropsycholo gical skills in children <750 g birth weight and support the need for early identification and special education interventions.