Perception of specific learning disorders in parents and teachers. A socio-cultural perspective

Mainstream perspectives about Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) range between the rehabilitative and psychological understanding of SLD. Few studies have been developed to detect SLD perception in school participants in reference to a cultural standpoint. Adopting a social constructivist perspective, which is part of a cultural framework, the present work aims at detecting the cultural models influencing the perception of SLD in a sample of parents and teachers. A multiple choice survey was administered to primary school parents (n = 1095) and teachers (n = 110), and a subsequent multidimensional analysis procedure - consisting of both Multiple Correspondence and Cluster Analysis - allowed the collection of cluster profiles describing SLD knowledge among the sample. Finally, a Chi-Square analysis investigated the significant differences in SLD perception among parents and teachers, taking into account their experience of SLD. The results offer a breakthrough in the study of SLD perception among school participants and stimulate reflection at both a theoretical and intervention level.