Developmental learning disorder

Characterized by significant and persistent difficulties learning to read, write, or calculate, despite regular schooling and an adequate level of intelligence. These affect academic achievement and may impair later occupational functioning. The problems concern specific academic skills rather than general intellectual development. They may manifest as letter reversals, spelling errors, or difficulties with mathematical reasoning.

Symptoms

• Reading difficulties (dyslexia)
• Significantly slower reading than peers
• Problems with reading comprehension
• Frequent spelling errors despite repeated practice (dysorthographia)
• Difficulties expressing thoughts in writing (dysgraphia)
• Dyscalculia
• Deficit specificity – inconsistency with overall intellectual development level
• Not attributable to lack of access to education or inadequate instruction
• Impaired academic or occupational functioning
• Secondary emotional and behavioral symptoms (school anxiety, low self-esteem)

ICD-11 diagnostic criteria

• trwałe trudności w umiejętnościach szkolnych
• początek w okresie rozwojowym
• znaczne pogorszenie funkcjonowania akademickiego

How to recognise

In the ICD-11 framework, the core symptoms taken into account when recognising Developmental learning disorder are:

• trudności w czytaniu
• trudności w matematyce

Differential diagnosis

When diagnosing Developmental learning disorder, the following ICD-11 disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis:

• Zaburzenia rozwoju intelektualnego (6A00)
• Zaburzenie ze spektrum autyzmu (6A02)
• Zaburzenia rozwojowe mowy i języka (6A01)

Frequently asked questions

What are the symptoms of Developmental learning disorder?

Symptoms associated with Developmental learning disorder (ICD-11 6A03) include: Reading difficulties (dyslexia), Significantly slower reading than peers, Problems with reading comprehension, Frequent spelling errors despite repeated practice (dysorthographia), Difficulties expressing thoughts in writing (dysgraphia), Dyscalculia, Deficit specificity – inconsistency with overall intellectual development level, Not attributable to lack of access to education or inadequate instruction, Impaired academic or occupational functioning, Secondary emotional and behavioral symptoms (school anxiety, low self-esteem).

How is Developmental learning disorder diagnosed according to ICD-11?

According to ICD-11, the diagnostic criteria for Developmental learning disorder (6A03) include: trwałe trudności w umiejętnościach szkolnych; początek w okresie rozwojowym; znaczne pogorszenie funkcjonowania akademickiego.

What disorders are in the differential diagnosis of Developmental learning disorder?

The differential diagnosis of Developmental learning disorder (6A03) includes: Zaburzenia rozwoju intelektualnego (6A00), Zaburzenie ze spektrum autyzmu (6A02), Zaburzenia rozwojowe mowy i języka (6A01).

WHO ICD-11 source

View this entry in the official WHO ICD-11 browser: 6A03 – WHO ICD-11