What Lies Behind Diagnostic Labels? High Intra-Individual Variability Is the True Cognitive Signature of University Students with Specific Learning Disorders
: The findings suggest that traditional categorical labels for Specific Learning Disorders have limited explanatory power in adulthood, given the high heterogeneity of cognitive functioning. Cognitive weaknesses, particularly in working memory, persist even in high-achieving university students. Clinical and educational support should shift from a label-based approach toward a dimensional, profile-based model to better address the unique strengths and vulnerabilities of adults with Specific Learning Disorders.
Authors
- Sara Zonca
- Luisa Girelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2186-242X)
- Marzia Lucia Bizzaro
Institutions
- University of Pavia (IT)
- University of Milano-Bicocca (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Brain Sciences
- Published
- 2026-04-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16040404
- Primary Topic
- Reading and Literacy Development
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00