Intra-Individual Discrepancy in Diagnosing Specific Learning Disabilities

The relationship between intra-individual discrepancy and exceptionality is studied in 248 children from grades one through six. Categories of exceptionality include children classified as: gifted/creative; sensorily impaired; behavior disordered; physically handicapped; mentally retarded; and learning disabled. The discrepancy between a child's expected level of functioning and actual level of functioning is computed by nine formulae commonly used in the field of special education. The study revealed a highly statistically significant relationship between discrepancies and exceptionalities, though a relatively low strength of association was found. The results also indicate that the intra-individual discrepancy is questionable when used as the defining characteristic of special learning disabilities; such a discrepancy is equally likely to occur in children classified as sensorily disordered, behaviorally disordered, and learning disabled.