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Research

It is estimated that between 60-75% of the youth in the juvenile justice system have one or more diagnosable disabilities. These can include emotional and behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and developmental disabilities. The most common diagnoses include Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, (ADHD), Learning Disabilities (LD), Depression, Developmental Disabilities (DD), Conduct Disorder, Anxiety Disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSC). In many cases the youth are dual-diagnosed. More than half also have a diagnosis of chemical dependence.

Most youth with disabilities will not become involved in delinquent or criminal behavior. The risk factors for delinquency and criminal behavior are complex and may include a history of abuse, poverty, family mental illness, drug use, and school failure. However, among offenders, emotional, behavioral, learning and developmental disabilities are much higher than their incidence in the rest of the population.

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Online Articles

Additional Reading: Books and Other Resources

Child Development, Children's Mental Health and the Juvenile Justice System: Principles for Effective Decision-Making. (2003). Arredondo, M.D., David E., Stanford Law & Policy Review.

The Detrimental Effects of Group Placements/Services for Youth with Behavioral Health Problems. The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.

Early Violent Death Among Delinquent Youth: A Prospective Longitudinal Study. (2005). Teplin, L.A., McClelland, G.M., Abram, K.M., & Mileusnic, D. Pediatrics, 115(6).

Positive Behavior Support Offered in Juvenile Corrections. (2005). Nelson, C.M., Sugai, G., & Smith, C.R. Counterpoint, 1, 6-7.

Psychiatric Disorders of Youth in Detention. (2006) Teplin, L. A., et al. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Rethinking the Juvenile in Juvenile Justice. (2006). Wisconsin Council on Children & Families.

School Yard or Prison Yard: Improving Outcomes for Marginalized Youth. (2005). Center for Community Alternatives. 2005.

Schools Use New Tactics for Trouble Dropping 'Get Tough' Approach Gets Results. (2006). New Haven Register.

Tools for Promoting Educational Success and Reducing Delinquency. (2007). National Association of State Directors of Special Education and the National Disability Rights Network.

Issue Briefs available from the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development & Juvenile Justice:

The Changing Borders Of Juvenile Justice: Transfer of Adolescents to the Criminal Court. (2000). Fagan, J., & Zimring, F. E. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

The Juvenile Court Response to Victims of Offenders, A Training Curriculum. (1999). Reno, NV: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Lost Boys. (1999). Garbarino, J. New York, NY: The Free Press.

Relinquishing Custody: The Tragic Result of Failure to Meet Childrens Mental Health Needs. (2000). Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Available for purchase at: http://www.bazelon.org/issues/children/custody/index.htm.

Serious and Violent Juvenile Offenders: Risk Factors and Successful Interventions. (1998). Loeber, R., & Farrington, D., eds. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Special Education Advocacy Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for Children in The Juvenile Delinquency System. (1998). Tulman, J., & McGee, J.A., eds. Washington, DC: University of the District of Columbia School of Law.

Taking Charge of ADHD (revised edition). (2000). Barkley, R. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Youth on Trial: A Developmental Perspective on Juvenile Justice. (2000). Grisso, T., & and Schwartz, R. G. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

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