Procedure for identifying specific learning disorders
Law 170/2010 recognises dyslexia, dysgraphia, dysorthographia and dyscalculia as specific learning disorders (SLD), which, if associated with adequate learning abilities, without sensory or neurologic deficits, may seriously limit the pupil’s daily activities.
According to the definition set out in Law 170/2010, dyslexia is a specific learning disorder deriving from difficulties in learning to read, in particular in understanding symbols and in reading fluently and correctly; dysgraphia is a specific learning disorder deriving from difficulties in writing, particularly in reproducing graphic symbols; dysorthographia is a specific learning disorder deriving from difficulties in writing, associated with difficulties in linguistic decoding processes; and dyscalculia is a specific learning disorder deriving from difficulties in making calculations and formulating numbers.
According to the Inter-Ministerial Ministry of Education, Universities and Research-Ministry of Health Decree (17/4/2013), concerning early detection in school, SLDs should be detected early in schools, generally starting from the second year of primary education. In case of a suspected SLD, schools should intervene promptly, notifying the pupil’s family in order to proceed with further detection.
The competent offices of the national health system diagnose SLDs and the pupil’s family submits the relevant documentation to the school.