SOCIAL SKILLS DEFICITS IN LEARNING-DISABILITIES - THE PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITY HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis that social skills deficits in learning disabilities ma y reflect the comorbidity of learning disabilities with psychiatric di agnoses is partially supported by prevalence rates of learning disabil ities within samples of individuals with attention deficit hyperactivi ty disorder (ADHD) and depressive or dysthymic disorder. The maladapti ve social skills patterns of children with specific subtypes of learni ng disabilities appear to mimic the symptom patterns of children with ADHD, depression or dysthymia, thus providing additional support for t he psychiatric comorbidity hypothesis. This article includes a discuss ion of the implications of a psychiatric comorbidity hypothesis for in creased special education support, further delineation of subtypes of learning disabilities, therapeutic, psychological or psychopharmacolog ic treatment, and collaborative efforts between professionals in menta l health and learning disabilities.