The 1964 UK Isle of Wight epidemiological survey investigated intellectual and educational setbacks among the entire population of around 3,500 nine to 11-year-olds living on the island (situated just off the south coast of England and having a total population of some 100,000).
Psychiatric disorder and physical handicap were surveyed in the same cohort a year later, and comparable conditions were re-examined in the same cohort in 1969 when the children were aged between 14 and 15.
The entire population of five to 15-year-old children (some 11,000) was also screened for neuro-epileptic disorders. A further survey of ten-year-olds was undertaken in 1969 in order to make direct comparisons with a 1970 survey of the same age group in an inner London borough. In addition, a more limited range of studies was undertaken with infant school children between the ages of five and seven.