OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the applicability of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) as a screening test for cognitive and psychosocial problems in children with learning disabilities. METHODS: Descriptive and cross-sectional study involving 103 children aged 6 to 9 years, with possible learning disabilities, referred from a public school in Curitiba, Brazil, from March 1, 2002 to June 30, 2009. Data were simultaneously collected by a multidisciplinary team using the PSC, MMSE, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III). From 2007 on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher's Report Form (TRF) were used and compared with the PSC. Correlation coefficients between the tests were calculated, with the significance level set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Among the studied children, 10% had some type of learning disability, 76% were male, and 24% were female. The most prevalent age group was 6 to 7 years. A positive family history was found in 45% of cases, and an adverse obstetric history in 18%, with low birth weight the most common issue. Correlations were detected between the MMSE and WISC-III (r=0.73) and between the CBCL and PSC (r=0.53). CONCLUSION: The MMSE and PSC can be used by pediatricians as screening tools for detection of cognitive and psychosocial problems in children with learning disabilities.
learning; learning disabilities; screening
