Math learning disability and math LD subtypes: Evidence from studies of Turner syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and neurofibromatosis type 1

The present study examined whether indicators of math learning disability a re observed in 5- and 6-year-olds with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and i n 5- to 6-year-old girls with Turner syndrome or fragile X syndrome. Data f rom 14 girls with Turner syndrome, 9 girls with fragile X syndrome, and 11 children with NF1 were compared to data from control participants matched o n age, sex, IQ score, and grade level. The results indicate that girls with fragile X syndrome or Turner syndrome are significantly more likely to hav e specific math difficulties relative to their control group, with a larger effect size demonstrated by the group with Turner syndrome. Young children with NF1 had a heterogeneous profile not suggestive of specific math disab ility. The results an, discussed in terms of their implications for underst anding math disability subtypes and the identification of math difficulty i n the early school years.