Diagnosis and Treatment of Developmental Dyslexia and Specific Learning Disabilities: Primum Non Nocere.

Abstract

Specific learning disabilities (SLDs) are increasingly being addressed by researchers, schools, and institutions, as shown by the increasing number of publications, guidelines, and incidence statistics. Although SLDs are becoming a major topic in education with the final goal of inclusive schools, consistent drawbacks may emerge, resulting in disadvantages instead of benefits for some children. Overdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions may harm children's neurodevelopment and families' quality of life more than previously thought. In this commentary, we discuss recent understandings, their practical and educational applications, and some considerations of the effects of these choices on children.