University students with specific learning disabilities: Insights from instrumental, neuro-psychological and study-related profiles

In recent years, there has been a growing enrolment of students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) in Italian higher-education programmes, underscoring the need for universities to support these students by identifying their strengths and weaknesses and developing targeted interventions. However, literature focusing on university students with SLDs remains limited. This study aims to describe the profiles of a sample of first-year Italian university students with SLDs, examining aspects such as instrumental skills, neuropsychological profiles and study-related abilities. Our results confirm that instrumental skills in students with SLDs are statistically lower than the normative average, indicating that difficulties in reading and arithmetic seem to persist into adulthood in students with SLDs. Additionally, a detailed neuropsychological assessment reveals significantly lower verbal working memory among students with SLDs, but statistically significant higher scores in visuospatial abilities. Furthermore, the results show that students with SLDs rate lower on learning approach scales; however, no differences were found in study strategies and learning goals. These findings highlight a unique profile among the university students with SLDs and underscore the need for tailored intervention programmes and support services to increase awareness and foster academic success among these students.