When to refer a child with possible Specific Learning Disability

A frontline worker rarely diagnoses — your gift is noticing early and routing wisely. Here is the clear threshold for referral.

In short

Refer a child to a specialist when academic difficulty is persistent (six months or more despite extra help), is well below what you'd expect for their age, and isn't explained by poor schooling, hearing or vision problems, or another condition — and when the child is at least 6–7 years old, once formal reading, writing and number work has begun. Before that age, watch and support; a true Specific Learning Disability cannot be confirmed earlier because the skills haven't yet been taught.

What to watch — your referral triggers

By primary-school age (Class 1 onward), flag a child who shows a persistent pattern, not a one-off bad term:

• Reading — struggles to link letters and sounds, reads far below classmates, guesses or skips words
• Writing — very poor spelling, reversed or jumbled letters well past the early years, sentences that don't form
• Number — cannot grasp basic quantity, counting or simple arithmetic expected for the grade
• Effort vs. result — bright, capable child who tries hard yet falls behind only in specific academic skills

First rule out the simple, fixable causes: check hearing and vision, and confirm the child has had regular schooling. If difficulty persists despite support, refer.

The science, briefly

The WHO classifies this as Developmental Learning Disorder (ICD-11 6A03) — a specific, persistent difficulty in reading, writing or arithmetic that is not due to intellectual disability, sensory impairment or lack of teaching. It affects a meaningful share of every classroom, and early identification protects a child's confidence and keeps them learning in the mainstream.

The Pinnacle way

No diagnosis is made from a form or a referral note — Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under a qualified clinician, measured against the child's own baseline. Your referral starts that journey. Pinnacle's learning and education-support therapy team then builds a plan with the family and school.

Trusted sources

WHO ICD-11 (6A03, Developmental Learning Disorder); CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early.; Indian Academy of Pediatrics; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org).

Next step — When the pattern persists past simple causes, don't wait. Refer the family for an assessment at the nearest Pinnacle centre.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.