Specific Learning Disorder

About Specific Learning Disorder

Specific learning disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulties learning and using core academic skills, beginning during the school years. DSM-5 groups what were previously separate diagnoses into one disorder with specifiers for impairment in reading, written expression and mathematics. Reading difficulties involving word recognition, decoding and spelling are often called dyslexia, and difficulties with number sense and calculation are often called dyscalculia. Skills are well below what is expected for age and interfere with school, work or daily life, and the difficulties are not better explained by intellectual disability, sensory problems or lack of educational opportunity. It is among the more common neurodevelopmental conditions, often runs in families and frequently co occurs with ADHD. The main evidence based response is structured, intensive and specialized teaching targeted to the specific skill, together with accommodations such as extra time or assistive technology.