Dyslexia vs "Specific Learning Disorder in Reading"
A US psychiatric manual, the DSM, has a diagnosis called specific learning disorder. The American Psychiatric Association's public page says "with impairment in reading (dyslexia)" can be added to that diagnosis. The page says dyslexia "may be used as an alternative term" for some reading and spelling trouble. We cannot tell you which of these names fits your child.
TL;DR
- A US psychiatric manual, the DSM, has a diagnosis called specific learning disorder. The American Psychiatric Association's public page describes it. That page describes the manual. It is not the manual's own text.
- The American Psychiatric Association's public page describes a US psychiatric manual, the DSM. The page says the note "with impairment in reading (dyslexia)" can be added to one diagnosis. That diagnosis is called specific learning disorder. The note is added when there is "significant impairment" in one or more reading skills.
- The American Psychiatric Association's public page talks about the word dyslexia. It says dyslexia "may be used as an alternative term" for some problems. It names trouble reading words correctly or smoothly, sounding words out, and spelling.
- ICD-11 is the World Health Organization's list of medical codes. ICD-11 uses the name "developmental learning disorder with impairment in reading" for one code. In ICD-11, "developmental dyslexia" leads to that code.
- A report may say dyslexia, specific learning disorder, or another name. We cannot tell you which of these names fits your child. Ask whoever used the name two questions. What did you see that made you use it? And what would you change on Monday because of it?
Dyslexia is a name for a pattern of trouble reading words, spelling, or both. Struggling to read says nothing about how smart your child is.
”DyslexiaTwo names you may see on a report
In our view, different groups use different names. A report may use one of them, or more than one.
A US psychiatric manual, the DSM, has a diagnosis called specific learning disorder. The American Psychiatric Association's public page describes it. That page describes the manual. It is not the manual's own text.
The American Psychiatric Association's public page describes a US psychiatric manual, the DSM. The page says the note "with impairment in reading (dyslexia)" can be added to one diagnosis. That diagnosis is called specific learning disorder. The note is added when there is "significant impairment" in one or more reading skills. Those skills include reading words correctly, reading speed and smoothness, and understanding what is read.
Where the word dyslexia fits
The American Psychiatric Association's public page talks about the word dyslexia. It says dyslexia "may be used as an alternative term" for some problems. It names trouble reading words correctly or smoothly, sounding words out, and spelling.
The American Psychiatric Association's page lists skills in two places. The two lists are not the same. The list for the reading note can include understanding what is read. The line on the word dyslexia names spelling, and does not name understanding.
The World Health Organization's list
ICD-11 is the World Health Organization's list of medical codes. ICD-11 uses the name "developmental learning disorder with impairment in reading" for one code. That code covers reading words correctly, reading smoothly, and understanding what is read. In ICD-11, "developmental dyslexia" leads to that code.
ICD-11 is the World Health Organization's list of medical codes. Its reading code asks how a person reads for their age. It also asks how they read for their general ability. The International Dyslexia Association's 2025 definition dropped its older wording comparing reading with other thinking skills. We do not call either one wrong.
What changed in 2013, and what we hold no source on
The DSM is a US psychiatric manual. The American Psychiatric Association's public page describes it. The page says the DSM's 2013 edition, DSM-5, changed the criteria for specific learning disorder. We hold no source on whether the 2022 revision, DSM-5-TR, changed the "with impairment in reading (dyslexia)" note.
How the American Psychiatric Association's page says a diagnosis is made
The American Psychiatric Association's public page says how a diagnosis is made. It lists watching and asking questions. It lists family history too. It also lists school reports.
What a name on a report can tell you
A report may say dyslexia, specific learning disorder, or another name. We cannot tell you which of these names fits your child. In our view, a name on a report describes the reading, not the child.
Ask whoever used the name two questions. What did you see that made you use it? And what would you change on Monday because of it?
What helps a child who finds reading hard
Reading improves with reading instruction.
Find which job of reading is going wrong, and work on that one. The exception is a skill that was there and has gone. Our position is that a lost skill goes to a doctor first, not a tutor.
Have hearing and vision checked too. A child who cannot hear well needs that found. So does a child who cannot see the print clearly.
When to ask for help
Each of these is a reason to ask for help on its own.
- Little change, even with steady practice and good teaching.
- Reading well below what school expects.
- A teacher who raises a concern about reading.
- Extreme upset about reading.
- Complete avoidance of reading.
- Hopelessness about learning.
- Sadness or worry that lasts.
- Significant delays in speech, language or motor development.
- A skill that was there and has gone. Our position is that a lost skill goes to a doctor first, not a tutor.
If no skill has gone, start with the teacher. Say what you are seeing at home, and what you have tried. Beyond the teacher, the right person depends on what it turns out to be about. If the work is too hard, someone who works on that school skill. If worry or mood is the thing, someone who works with children's mental health. In our view, delays in speech, language or movement are worth raising with your child's doctor. In our view, if you are worried enough to ask, a professional evaluation is worth asking about.
Any talk of hurting themselves is a same-day call to your doctor or a crisis line.
In the classroom
If a report names a diagnosis, ask what was seen. Then ask what to teach next.
Check for a missed step early. Teach it again, and see what the child does with it.
Two sentences for an email home: "Your child's report uses the words specific learning disorder. Here is what we see in class, and what we are teaching next."
Key Takeaways
The DSM is a US psychiatric manual. It has a diagnosis called specific learning disorder. The American Psychiatric Association's public page says "with impairment in reading (dyslexia)" can be added to that diagnosis.
The American Psychiatric Association's public page has a line saying dyslexia "may be used as an alternative term" for some problems. That line names spelling. The page's other list, for its reading note, can include understanding what is read. The two lists are not the same.
ICD-11 is the World Health Organization's list of medical codes. ICD-11 uses the name "developmental learning disorder with impairment in reading" for one code.
A report may say dyslexia, specific learning disorder, or another name. We cannot tell you which of these names fits your child. Ask whoever used the name what they saw.
Find which job of reading is going wrong, and work on that one. The exception is a skill that was there and has gone. Our position is that a lost skill goes to a doctor first, not a tutor.
If your child has a report, find the name it uses. Write down one thing you have seen at home with reading or spelling. Bring what you wrote when you ask what to teach next.
”What to do tonightWhat to use next
A set of questions you answer about what you see at home. A screener is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If your child might need formal accommodations (an IEP or 504 plan), or you suspect a vision, hearing, or medical cause, pursue a professional evaluation too — that's the only route to those supports.
A short reading and spelling practice. Each word appears letter by letter. The picture comes only once the word is complete. So guessing from the image is not available. It includes writing words from memory. That practices the spelling and the writing of a word at the same time.
Common questions from parents
Is dyslexia a specific learning disorder?
A US psychiatric manual, the DSM, has a diagnosis called specific learning disorder. The American Psychiatric Association's public page says "with impairment in reading (dyslexia)" can be added to that diagnosis. The page also says dyslexia "may be used as an alternative term" for some reading and spelling trouble. We cannot tell you which of these names fits your child.
What does the DSM-5 say about dyslexia?
A US psychiatric manual, the DSM, has a diagnosis called specific learning disorder. The American Psychiatric Association's public page describes it. That page describes the manual. It is not the manual's own text. The page says the note "with impairment in reading (dyslexia)" can be added to that diagnosis. It says the 2013 edition, DSM-5, changed the criteria for the diagnosis. We hold no source on whether the 2022 revision, DSM-5-TR, changed that note.
What does "specific learning disorder in reading" mean?
A US psychiatric manual, the DSM, has a diagnosis called specific learning disorder. The American Psychiatric Association's public page says the note "with impairment in reading (dyslexia)" can be added to that diagnosis. The note is added when there is "significant impairment" in one or more reading skills. They include reading words correctly. They also include reading speed and smoothness, and understanding what is read.