Specific Learning Disorder, as a diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, is a broad diagnosis that covers many different specific learning disorders or deficiencies. This disorder typically manifests in early years of schooling and is recognized by concerns related to foundational academic skills in areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. When assessments recognize a marked difference in an individual’s ability in one of these areas, compared to their peers, they may be diagnosed with a specified variant of this disorder. It is important to note that children who are recognized as “gifted” in their education, may struggle with their abilities to perceive or process information and can still be diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorder. 

Specific Learning Disorder

The DSM-5-TR specifies only a single diagnosis of:
- Specific Learning Disorder


A diagnosis of Specific Learning Disorder is recognized when there are specific deficits that affect an individual’s ability to perceive or process information, for learning/academic purposes, efficiently and/or accurately. These diagnoses are recognized primarily by the learning environment by way of assessments or tests used to measure a performance level in different learning fields. 

Specific Learning Disorder(s)

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., Text revision). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

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