The diagnosis of specific learning disability in Türkiye

THE DIAGNOSIS OF SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY IN TURKEY Abdulkadir ÇINAR Department of Special Education Programme in education of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Graduate School of Anadolu University, May 2025 Doç. Dr. Funda AKSOY The aim of this study is to examine the current practices, encountered problems, and proposed solutions related to the diagnosis process of specific learning disabilities (SLD) based on stakeholder opinions, using the example of the Special Education Evaluation Board (SEEB) established within two Guidance and Research Centers (GRCs) located in a metropolitan province. This study was conducted using the case study design, one of the qualitative research methods, and semi-structured interviews were held with heads of special education departments and SEEB members working at the GRCs. The data were analyzed through content analysis. NVivo15 software was used in the coding and theme creation process. According to the research findings, the themes related to the process were identified as the pre-diagnosis phase, the diagnosis phase, the referral and placement phase, the monitoring phase, general problems in the diagnosis process, proposed solutions, and educational evaluation forms. Stakeholders emphasized the inadequacy of the educational assessment forms used in diagnosis, the workload of GRC personnel, the lack of knowledge among teachers, and families' attitudes toward the diagnosis as the most prominent problems. In order to make the diagnosis process more effective, recommendations were made to raise awareness among teachers and families, update assessment tools, increase the number of specialists, and reduce workload. Based on the findings, various policy and practice recommendations were presented to improve the SLD diagnosis process in Türkiye.