Download Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs) are persistent conditions that affect individuals throughout their lifespan. Historically focused on schools, Italian legislation recently extended its protection to the workplace with Laws 113/2021 and 25/2022. This paper investigates whether timely diagnostic recognition influences adults' professional success and psychological well-being.
The research, conducted through a questionnaire self-report On a sample of 102 respondents, it compares the impact of early diagnosis (within primary school) versus late diagnosis (from secondary school to adulthood). The results confirm that early diagnosis acts as an important protective factor: 85,2% of these subjects benefited from educational support, developing a solid working identity with low levels of anxiety (25%) and high confidence in the future (83,3%). Conversely, for 49% of the sample diagnosed in adulthood, the educational path was lacking in support (92%) and experienced with high performance pressure (75%), although certification was experienced as a "liberation". The fragility of diagnoses in secondary schools also emerges, with the highest peak of non-disclosure (69,2%).
In conclusion, the study demonstrates that the timing of diagnosis is an important predictor of the career success of people with learning disabilities. It is therefore urgent to promote early identification protocols to ensure timely support and workplace environments for everyone.Dyslexia Friendly" to enhance neurodivergent talent and make workplaces places where diagnosis is no longer experienced as a secret, but as the basis for full and free professional self-determination.