specific learning disorder (sld) is
a neurodevelopmental condition that typically begins in childhood and can
persist into adulthood. it affects how individuals process certain types of
information, particularly in areas such as reading, writing, or mathematics.
these difficulties occur despite normal intelligence and adequate instruction.
core features
sld is diagnosed when a person has
significant difficulty in one or more academic skills:
reading (dyslexia) – slow or
inaccurate reading, poor comprehension.
writing (dysgraphia) – spelling
difficulties, poor grammar, weak written expression.
math (dyscalculia) – trouble
understanding numbers, calculations, and problem-solving.
these problems:
persist for at least six months
despite targeted help.
are well below age expectations and
interfere with academic or occupational performance.
are not due to other issues like
sensory impairments, intellectual disability, or lack of education.
types of sld (specifiers under
dsm-5)
sld with impairment in reading
(often referred to as dyslexia)
sld with impairment in written
expression (similar to dysgraphia)
sld with impairment in mathematics
(similar to dyscalculia)
the dsm-5 (diagnostic and
statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition) merged former separate
categories into one diagnosis of sld with specifiers.
diagnosis
involves review of medical,
educational, developmental, and family history.
uses standardized tests, school
performance, and clinical observation.
requires ruling out other causes
(e.g., vision or hearing problems).
identified by performance
significantly below age level and responsiveness to intervention.
prevalence and related conditions
affects approximately 5–15% of
school-age children.
dyslexia is the most common type,
affecting up to 20% of the population.
commonly co-occurs with adhd and
anxiety disorders.
impact
without support, sld can lead to:
struggles with school and work
performance.
low self-esteem and mental health
problems.
difficulty achieving full potential
academically and professionally.
support and intervention
individualized education plans
(ieps) or 504 plans in schools.
accommodations such as extra time,
audio books, or use of a calculator.
specialized instruction (e.g.
multisensory reading programs).
occupational or speech therapy as
needed.
summary table
|
category |
description |
|
sld |
difficulty in reading, writing,
or math despite adequate teaching |
|
diagnosis |
based on persistent struggles and
low performance compared to age norms |
|
dsm-5 |
combines former categories into
one with specific types |
|
support |
ieps, accommodations, therapies,
and personalized teaching strategies |
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