Specific learning disorder in DSM 5 and speech language pathologist

Since 2000, it has been well established that literacy skills are the outgrowth of linguistic capabilities and Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) is a language based disorder. A definite role for the speech language pathologist in management of this group has been well elaborated by speech therapist s (ASHA, 2001; 2004). However the same does not get reflected in the recent literatures like the DSM 5, neither is appreciated by many professionals. DSM 5 is a major tool based upon which SLD is managed. This paper critiques the prescribed DSM V criteria's to define SLD from a speech language pathologist perspective. The diagnostic features of SLD includes linguistically dependent skills like understanding language tasks, meta phonological skills like spelling & reading and higher cognitive functions like mathematical skills. On an average 85% of the reported symptoms are language based symptoms out of which 50% are language specific in nature, emphasizing the indispensable role of an SLP with SLDs.