I disturbi specifici di apprendimento (DSA)

Abstract

The article aims to provide a cognitive tool that helps the family paediatrician to manage children with DSA through an increasingly aware way, so that the principle of universal right to education is best realized. The Italian Law no. 170 attributes the task of suspecting the presence of a DSA to schools of all levels (starting from nursery schools), but the paediatrician can also have the opportunity to participate in this "filter" activity by using suggestions from the child neuropsychiatrist during health assessments. For this reason, the risk factors and indicators correlated with the presence of the disorder are illustrated. The brief excursus on the validated tools for DSA screening allows the paediatrician to interpret their meaning better and, in particular cases, to use them directly. The article then clarifies how and by whom the diagnosis and subsequent certification must be made so as to implement didactic and educational interventions. Finally, the methods of training interventions addressed to all the teaching staff and the possible social and educational protections are illustrated.