Symptoms used to diagnose
The rulePersistent difficulty with learning skills for 6+ months despite targeted help, well below age level and not explained by other causes.
Symptoms
- Slow or effortful reading
- Difficulty decoding or spelling words
- Trouble understanding what is read
- Difficulty with written expression
- Difficulty with number sense or maths facts (dyscalculia)
- Difficulty with maths reasoning
How diagnosis works
- Difficulties in reading, written expression or maths for at least 6 months despite targeted help.
- Skills well below expected for age, starting in school years.
- Not explained by intellectual disability, sight/hearing problems or lack of teaching.
A diagnosis is made by a qualified clinician after a full assessment — this summary is to help you understand it, not to self-diagnose.
Commonly used medications
Medication isn't usually a first-line treatment for this condition.
Therapies & support
- Specialist teaching
- Assistive technology
- Exam and workplace adjustments
Sources
- 01Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR)
American Psychiatric Association, 2022
- 02ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics — Chapter 6: Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders
World Health Organization, 2022
- 03The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
Horowitz & Taylor, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024