Learning difficulties in children attending a special clinic at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital

Objectives To identify presentations of children with learning difficulties attending Child Psychiatry and Guidance Clinic (CPGC) at Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) and describe their socio-demographic characteristics, health-seeking behaviour and modes of referral. Design Descriptive cross sectional study. Method Children diagnosed to have learning difficulties or attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), presenting to CPGC at LRH from 27 May to 10 June 2003, were included in study. Learning difficulties were diagnosed by a child psychiatrist using DSM IV criteria. A pre-tested, interviewer administered questionnaire (IAQ) was used to collect socio-demographic data, details on health-seeking behaviour and modes of referral from parents/ guardians. A checklist was used to identify presentations. Results 52 children with learning difficulties were identified and all participated in study. Presentations were with difficulties in reading (70%), mathematics (60%), writing (55%), communication (45%) and motor skills (50%). ADHD was found in 60 % cases. 85 % were males. Mean age was 9 years. 31 % had deficit of schooling. 54 % were urban dwellers. Caretaker was mother in 83 % cases. Monthly income was greater than 3000 rupees in 92 % cases. 89% children were identified by mother or teacher. Initial visits were made to a specialist unit (62%) or a primary health care service (31%)