Crisis Intervention with Adolescents with Learning Disabilities.

Depression and suicide, alcohol and other drug use, teenage sexuality and school dropout, along with many other pressing social issues, place adolescents at risk for social, emotional, and psychological problems. Adolescents often are involved with more than one of these social issues. They attend schools where they are expected to be attentive, complete assignments, learn in a classroom setting, earn credits toward high school graduation, and eventually enter the world of work or attend an institution of higher education. Many adolescents succeed despite their involvement in these social issues, but increasing numbers need social, emotional, and educational interventions aimed at increasing their coping skills or at reducing their involvement. Adolescents with LD are at even greater risk for involvement with these social issues than their nonhandicapped peers. Thus, special education teachers should understand the incidence, possible causes, identification, and appropriate interventions.