DYSLEXIA IS NOT A DISEASE, BUT A LEARNING DISORDER OF A NEUROBIOLOGICAL NATURE. THE STUDY OF DYSLEXIA IN THE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE

Dyslexia is not an illness but a neurobiological reading disorder characterized by deficits in reading accuracy and speed, letter substitutions, omissions, and word misrecognition. This condition is independent of general intelligence: affected children often demonstrate normative cognitive abilities yet struggle with decoding and fluent reading. Timely identification and specialized pedagogical interventions enable effective compensation, improving academic performance and emotional well-being. Italy’s experience, notably Law 170/2010 and national DSA statistics from 2019–2021, underscores the importance of legal recognition, systematic diagnosis, and dedicated educational support.