Lazaratou Helen¹, Sakellariou Katerina¹, Magklara Konstantina^1,, Kalogerakis Zacharias², Economou Marina²

Learning disorders start early and very often affect people throughout their lives. A number of previous studies in Greece showed that adolescents are more frequently presented with learning difficulties than younger children. At the same time, learning disorders are very often co-morbid with other mental health disorders and conditions. The aim of our study was to investigate the hypothesis that the age of referral may be indicative of the clinical significance of learning difficulties and to assess the co-morbidity of learning disorders with other mental health problems. We conducted a retrospective study of the medical records of all children and adolescents, who have been referred due to learning difficulties to an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatric service n Greece, over a period of two years. Among 390 adolescents, who have been referred to the unit, 330 adolescents (84.61%) have been referred due to learning difficulties. There were statistically significant differences between first-attenders (N₁=174) and those with a history of previous attendance (N₂=156). Learning disorders were very often co-morbid with a number of mental health conditions, especially with emotional and behavior disorders. In our study the age of first referral due to learning disorders appeared to be a significant factor in relation to clinical significance. The high co-morbidity of learning difficulties with other psychiatric conditions shows that therapeutic programs should also include various forms of psychotherapeutic support.

adolescence, co-morbidity, first attendance, follow-up attendance, learning disorders, psychiatric disorders