[Internalizing and externalizing syndrome in reading and writing disorders]

Abstract

The prevalence and comorbidity of internalizing and externalizing syndromes was investigated in a clinical sample of children (n = 77) with dyslexia. In the normoriented broadband-screening of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) the rate of behavioral disorders is four times higher than in the standardisation sample. As a consequence of specific administrative prevalence the children have--in contrast to prospective studies--more internalizing than externalizing problems (according to the secondary scales of the CBCL). Psychiatric syndromes have been diagnosed in 66.2 percent: most frequently adjustment disorders, because of nonconformity to performance standards, followed by hyperkinetic disorders and anxiety. In all different diagnosis groups the scores of both secondary scales of the CBCL lie within or near the clinical range, only the priority was different. The high rate of psychiatric disorders indicates a great demand of personal or psychotherapeutic support in referred children with dyslexia, that has to be provided--besides interventions focusing on performance deficits.