A 10-year-old boy of average intelligence writes extremely slowly, with illegible handwriting, poor spacing, and frequent spelling errors despite knowing the content verbally. His reading and arithmetic are age-appropriate. Which specific learning disorder specifier best fits this presentation?
- A With impairment in reading
- B With impairment in mathematics
- C With impairment in written expression ✓
- D Developmental coordination disorder
Correct answer: C. With impairment in written expression
Explanation
Impaired written expression, historically called dysgraphia, presents as slow laboured writing, illegible handwriting, faulty spelling, and disorganized composition in a child whose verbal knowledge and reasoning are intact, as indicated by the preserved reading and arithmetic here. Developmental coordination disorder is a motor skill disorder affecting gross and fine motor coordination generally, and would not selectively impair writing output while leaving drawing-free tasks unaffected.
Reference: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), 5th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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