A screening on Specific Learning Disorders in an Italian speaking high genetic homogeneity area.

Claudia Cappa, Sara Giulivi, Antonino Schilirò, Luca Bastiani, Carlo Muzio, Fabrizio Meloni, A screening on Specific Learning Disorders in an Italian speaking high genetic homogeneity area, , Volumes 45-46, October-November 2015, Pages 329-342, ISSN 0891-4222, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.07.011. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891422215000864)

The aim of the present research is to investigate the prevalence of Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) in Ogliastra, a particular area of Sardinia, Italy. Having experienced centuries of isolation, Ogliastra has become a high genetic homogeneity area, particularly interesting for studies on different kinds of pathologies. Here we are going to describe the results of a screening carried out throughout 2 consecutive years in 49 second grade classes (24 considered in the first year and 25 in the second year of the study) of the Ogliastra region. A total of 610 pupils (average age 7.54 years; 293 female, 317 male) corresponding to 68.69% of all pupils who were attending second grade in the area, took part in the study. The tool used for the screening was the "RSR-DSA. Questionnaire for the detection of learning difficulties and disorders", which allowed to identify 83 subjects at risk (13.61% of the whole sample involved in the study). These took part in an enhancement training program carried out for about 6 months. After the program, pupils underwent assessment for reading, writing and calculation abilities, as well as a cognitive assessment. According to the results of the assessment, the prevalence of SLDs was 6.06%. 4.75% of the total sample manifested dyslexia in isolation or in comorbidity with other disorders. According to the first national epidemiological investigation carried out in Italy, the prevalence of SLDs is 3.1-3.2%, which is lower that the prevalence obtained in the present study. This result, together with the presence of several cases of SLD in isolation (17.14%) and with a 3:1 ratio of males to females diagnosed with a SLD (which is typical of several pathologies, disorders or characteristics with a genetic origin), can be interpreted as a confirmation of the genetic basis of SLDs.