Prevalence of Specific Learning Disability, Intellectual Disability, Borderline Intelligence, And the Associated Socio-Demographic Profile of Students in 10th Standard

Abstract

The study was conducted to identify the prevalence of specific conditions, such as Specific Learning Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, Scholastic Backwardness, and borderline Intelligence, that lead to academic backwardness. It also explored the associated socio-demographic profile of 10th-standard students in Kozhikode district, Kerala, who follow the State syllabus. A total of 649 students, aged 14 to 17, were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. The study assessed the prevalence of these conditions and their impact on academic performance, with particular attention to socio-demographic factors, including gender. The findings revealed that intellectual functioning significantly predicts academic backwardness. Gender differences were also evident, with boys showing higher rates of academic backwardness across all domains. The study highlights the critical role of intellectual functioning in academic backwardness and emphasizes the influence of gender, with boys being more affected. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to address academic difficulties, particularly among male students.