The DSM-V is awful for LD, and just plain horrid for 2E. I keep getting told that it requires below-grade achievement - but while that is stated in the criterion, the more detailed explanation is not quite so absolute:
"One essential feature of specific learning disorder is persistent difficulties learning keystone academic skills (Criterion A), with onset during the years of formal schooling (i.e., the developmental period). A second key feature is that the individual’s performance of the affected academic skills is well below average for age (Criterion B). One robust clinical indicator of difficulties learning academic skills is low academic achievement for age
or average achievement that is sustainable only be extraordinarily high levels of effort or support. A third core feature is that the learning difficulties are readily apparent in the early school years in most individuals (Criterion C).
However, in others, the learning difficulties may not manifest fully until later school years, by which time learning demands have increased and exceed the individual’s limited capacities. "
I've never been able to get my hands on a full copy of the LD section (I'm thinking the DSM is proprietary), but the document below quotes large pieces of it (including above, on p9):
http://www.ldac-acta.ca/downloads/pdf/media_release/LDAC-DSM-5-Statement-March-2015-FINAL-CL.pdfIf you're enough of a masochist, the following detailed critique of the draft definition is enlightening:
http://dyslexia.yale.edu/CommentsDSM5ColkerShaywitzSimon.pdf ETA: DSM-V was released in 2013
