Behavioral Assessment of Occupational Skills of Learning Disabled Adolescents

This research was published by the KU Center for Research on Learning, formerly known as the University of Kansas Institute for Research in Learning Disabilities.This study, using direct observation and measurement techniques, analyzed the differences in occupational skills among learning disabled youths and their non-learning disabled peers . The results showed low levels of employment-related skills for both groups of high school adolescents . However, the non-LD high school students performed significantly better on the job-related skills. These differences were more marked for non-social interaction skills. These findings suggest the need for the development of employment preparation methods designed to teach the skills involved in finding and retaining employment