Cognitive potentials in children with learning disabilities

A group of 16 children, aged from 8 to 14 years, with learning disabilities, were studied by means of a series of conventional and sensitized audiological tests, including recording of the late cognitive electrical responses (P-300). They had no otolaryngological or neurological complaints but expressive language disorders (difficulties in speaking and/or writing), receptive language disorders (difficulties in reading and text comprehension), and lack of concentration and/or restlessness. Their audiograms, speech discrimination and immitance tests were normal. The P-300 responses, as compared with those found in 20 normal controls within the same age group, occurred at significantly longer latency periods.