Prevalence of Mathematics Learning Disorder in Elementary schools

the prevalence rate of mathematics learning disorder among elementary students of Qom province in the academic year of 2006-2007 was studied. 3282 third, fourth and fifth graders, selected by partial sampling method from 7 educational districts, responded to the Mathematics Learning Disorder Diagnostic Tests (Malekpour, 1994; Faramarzi, 1996). The visual and auditory status of the students were also checked by referring to their health status files. Raven Progressive Matrices (Raven, 1965) was also used for students with scores lower than the cut off point. Students with lower than normal intelligence scores and visual or auditory impairments were omitted from the sample. Results showed the prevalence rate of 2.92% which was significantly higher than the prevalence rate of mathematics learning disorder reported in DSM-IV-TR. No significant gender differences were observed but the prevalence rate of the disorder in district four differed significantly with districts one, two, three and six and districts one and six also showed significant difference. The implications of these findings regarding prevention, appraisal and diagnosis of the disorder, and intervention were discussed.