Social Position Variables of Specific Learning Disabilities: A National Perspective

This article examined the association between social position variables (i.e., Hispanic, health insurance coverage, and poverty rates) on the prevalence of specific learning disabilities (SLD) in students between 3 and 21 years of age. We used the 2012 to 2013 U.S. population data from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Program, and the American Community Survey for the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Results indicate that states with higher rates of Hispanics were related to higher rates of SLD, while lower rates of no health insurance coverage were related to lower SLD rates. We conclude that Hispanic students are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with SLD, while having no health insurance coverage might be a detriment to be properly diagnosed. The importance of a national perspective in disabilities and the role of social position variables on special education are discussed