ICD-11 Criteria for Developmental Learning Disorder (6A03)

Developmental learning disorder is characterised by significant and persistent difficulties in learning academic skills, which may include reading, writing, or arithmetic. The individual’s performance in the affected academic skill(s) is markedly below what would be expected for chronological age and general level of intellectual functioning, and results in significant impairment in the individual’s academic or occupational functioning. Developmental learning disorder first manifests when academic skills are taught during the early school years. Developmental learning disorder is not due to a disorder of intellectual development, sensory impairment (vision or hearing), neurological or motor disorder, lack of availability of education, lack of proficiency in the language of academic instruction, or psychosocial adversity.

Exclusions:             

• Symbolic dysfunctions (MB4B)

6A03.0      Developmental learning disorder with impairment in reading

Developmental learning disorder with impairment in reading is characterised by significant and persistent difficulties in learning academic skills related to reading, such as word reading accuracy, reading fluency, and reading comprehension. The individual’s performance in reading is markedly below what would be expected for chronological age and level of intellectual functioning and results in significant impairment in the individual’s academic or occupational functioning. Developmental learning disorder with impairment in reading is not due to a disorder of intellectual development, sensory impairment (vision or hearing), neurological disorder, lack of availability of education, lack of proficiency in the language of academic instruction, or psychosocial adversity.

Exclusions:             

• Disorders of intellectual development (6A00)

6A03.1   Developmental learning disorder with impairment in written expression

Developmental learning disorder with impairment in written expression is characterised by significant and persistent difficulties in learning academic skills related to writing, such as spelling accuracy, grammar and punctuation accuracy, and organisation and coherence of ideas in writing. The individual’s performance in written expression is markedly below what would be expected for chronological age and level of intellectual functioning and results in significant impairment in the individual’s academic or occupational functioning. Developmental learning disorder with impairment in written expression is not due to a disorder of intellectual development, sensory impairment (vision or hearing), a neurological or motor disorder, lack of availability of education, lack of proficiency in the language of academic instruction, or psychosocial adversity.

Exclusions:             

Disorders of intellectual development (6A00)

6A03.2      Developmental learning disorder with impairment in mathematics

Developmental learning disorder with impairment in mathematics is characterised by significant and persistent difficulties in learning academic skills related to mathematics or arithmetic, such as number sense, memorization of number facts, accurate calculation, fluent calculation, and accurate mathematic reasoning. The individual’s performance in mathematics or arithmetic is markedly below what would be expected for chronological or developmental age and level of intellectual functioning and results in significant impairment in the individual’s academic or occupational functioning. Developmental learning disorder with impairment in mathematics is not due to a disorder of intellectual development, sensory impairment (vision or hearing), a neurological disorder, lack of availability of education, lack of proficiency in the language of academic instruction, or psychosocial adversity.

Exclusions:             

• Disorders of intellectual development (6A00)

6A03.3      Developmental learning disorder with other specified impairment of learning

Developmental learning disorder with other specified impairment of learning is characterised by significant and persistent difficulties in learning academic skills other than reading, mathematics, and written expression. The individual’s performance in the relevant academic skill is markedly below what would be expected for chronological age and level of intellectual functioning and results in significant impairment in the individual’s academic or occupational functioning. Developmental learning disorder with other specified impairment of learning is not due to a disorder of intellectual development, sensory impairment (vision or hearing), neurological disorder, lack of availability of education, lack of proficiency in the language of academic instruction, or psychosocial adversity.

Exclusions:             

• Disorders of intellectual development (6A00)

6A03.Z        Developmental learning disorder, unspecified

REFERENCE:

International Classification of Diseases Eleventh Revision (ICD-11). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. License: CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/igo/