Self-Concept in Learning Disabled Adolescents

A prevailing assumption in the learning disabilities literature is that the learning disabled adolescent has a poor self-concept. The assumption is widely held but has little foundation in research. To test the assumption, the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale was administered to LD adolescents in a large urban school system and in urban, suburban, and rural junior high schools. Results indicated that mean self-concept scores of LD adolescents were comparable to those of the age appropriate norm population and to a normal control group also tested. The assumption is rejected and new research directions are suggested.