Il Disturbo Specifico dell’Apprendimento nel DSM-5: prospettiva neuroevolutiva e approccio life-span

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) takes a different approach to learning disorders than previous editions of the manual (DSM-IV-TR) by broadening the category and labelling a unique diagnostic disorder (Specific Learning Disorder -SLD) incorporating deficits that impact academic achievement . SLD is described as a disorder with a heterogeneous neuropsychological profile, dysfunctional endophenotypes and large overlaps with other neurodevelopmental disorders. Furthermore, DSM-5 describes the changes in manifestation of symptoms occurring with age, starting from symptoms that may be observed among pre-school age children and ending with the clinical characteristics in adults. As a whole, DSM-5 is organised on developmental and life-span consideration and encourages clinicians to assume a dimensional perspective, even though it upholds a rigorous categorical approach