A psychologist would consider a diagnosis of specific learning disorder if an individual exhibits persistent difficulties with learning and using specific academic skills despite appropriate instruction, adequate intelligence, and sociocultural opportunities. The individual must have difficulties in at least one of the following areas:
- Reading: Accurate and fluent word recognition, reading comprehension, or both.
- Written expression: Spelling accuracy, grammar and punctuation accuracy, and clarity or organization of written expression.
- Mathematics: Number sense, memorization of arithmetic facts, accurate or fluent calculation, or accurate application of math concepts.
- In addition to the above difficulties, the individual must show a significant impact on academic or occupational functioning, and the difficulties cannot be solely explained by environmental, cultural, or intellectual factors.
Specific learning disorder can impact everyday activities in various ways. Children with specific learning disorder may struggle with academic tasks, such as reading, writing, and math, which can lead to poor academic performance, low self-esteem, and frustration. Adults with specific learning disorder may experience difficulties with job tasks that involve reading, writing, or math. They may also have difficulties with tasks such as managing finances, following directions, and organizing information. The impact of specific learning disorder can vary from mild to severe, and early identification and intervention can help mitigate the negative impact on academic and occupational functioning.