Dyslexia is the most common learning difference and affects up to 20% of people. The International Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as “a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”
Dyslexia affects about 15 to 20 percent of the population, making it the most common learning disability. Although dyslexia impacts many students, it remains one of the least understood disabilities. The resources below guide families in understanding what dyslexia is and is not.
Dyslexia Fact Sheet– This resource provides a brief, yet succinct overview of what dyslexia is and looks like, and addresses some of the overlying misconceptions.
What is Dyslexia – Dyslexia is a learning disability in reading. People with dyslexia have trouble reading at a good pace and without mistakes. They may also have a hard time with reading comprehension, spelling, and writing. But these challenges aren’t a problem with intelligence.
Dyslexia Resources– The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) provides resources regarding dyslexia and related disorders to help educators and families work together to better support students who struggle with reading, as well as writing, and math.
TED-Ed – What is Dyslexia (4:35) – Dyslexia affects up to 1 in 5 people, but the experience of dyslexia isn’t always the same. This difficulty in processing language exists along a spectrum – one that doesn’t necessarily fit with labels like “normal” and “defective.” Kelli Sandman-Hurley urges us to think again about dyslexic brain function and to celebrate the neurodiversity of the human brain. This short, animated video explores this concept.
Understanding Dyslexia – NCIL The National Center on Improving Literacy is a source for improving outcomes for students with literacy-related disabilities, including dyslexia. They provide multiple resources on Dyslexia for Parents & Families, Schools & Districts, and State Agencies.
Despite a growing body of research that has informed understanding of the causes of dyslexia, many myths persist. Dyslexia results from individual differences in the parts of the brain that support reading. It tends to run in families and is linked to genes that affect how the brain processes language. The following resources provide further information on the causes of dyslexia.
Dyslexia Handbook – What Every Family Should Know – International Dyslexia Association (IDA) encourages and supports interdisciplinary reading research and disseminates this information to professionals and the general public. The IDA Dyslexia Handbook provides helpful resources and a glossary of terms to better understand dyslexia and its related disorders.
Possible Causes of Dyslexia Dyslexia is the most common learning difference. Current research estimates this may be as high as 20%. So, what causes this lifelong condition? There’s no clear answer yet. But researchers are looking at a number of factors, including the role of genes and the brain. Learn more about the potential causes of dyslexia from Understood.org.
Dyslexia and the Brain (9:34) What parts of our brain activate when we read? How does the brain of a child with dyslexia work differently? In this video, Dr. Guinevere Eden explains which parts of our brain we use when we read, how our brains change when we learn to read, and the difference that a successful dyslexia intervention can make in brain function. She also highlights what people with dyslexia can do better than their peers. Keep in mind, that kids with thinking and learning differences can thrive and have their own strengths!
10 Myths About Dyslexia While research around dyslexia is increasing, there are still lots of myths and misconceptions. In this video, Understood.org busts 10 popular myths.
The earlier a student is identified and diagnosed, the greater chance they have of succeeding in school with the appropriate core instruction and intervention. There’s no single test that can diagnose dyslexia. A variety of factors are considered and explained in the resources below.
Dyslexia Glossary As with most specialized topics, dyslexia comes with its own vocabulary. And, to make matters more challenging, the professionals in the varying fields who diagnose and treat language disabilities and dyslexia may even use different words to refer to the same behavior.
Dyslexia Evaluation Overview – What Parents Can Do Parents are at their most vulnerable when their child is struggling. They want information and trust experts to tell them what is wrong—and to give advice about how they can make it better. But they need to be careful about finding the information they desperately seek and the advice they fervently want. Learn more about the evaluation process from The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity.
Dyslexia in the Schools: Assessment and Identification Schools and teachers play an essential role in identifying students with reading difficulties, including dyslexia. This article from Reading Rockets offers a 5-step framework for identifying reading difficulties and determining if a student is eligible for special education services under IDEA — including the role of RTI (Response to Intervention), cognitive processing tests, and other statewide assessments and curriculum-based measures.
Types of Tests for Dyslexia –If you think your child might have dyslexia, there’s only one way to know for sure. You’ll need to have your child evaluated. This evaluation will identify specific areas of weakness in reading. (The evaluator should also test for other language and processing issues) In this article from Understood.org, there are four types of tests that are given when evaluating for dyslexia.
The Difference Between a School Identification and a Clinical Diagnosis People often say the school “diagnosed” their child. But technically, that’s not what happened. Schools don’t diagnose conditions. Only doctors and other clinicians do. What schools do is somewhat different. IEP teams “identify” learning and thinking differences. Then they determine if a child is eligible for special education support and services. Understood.org explains the differences between a school identification and a clinical diagnosis.
Inside a Dyslexia Evaluation (20:44) How are kids tested for dyslexia? Watch this video to get an inside look at a dyslexia evaluation. If you’re planning to have your child evaluated, it can help to watch this video together.
Struggling readers may demonstrate signs of Dyslexia, a common language-based learning disability. The International Dyslexia Association believes that approximately “15-20 percent of the population as a whole—have some of the symptoms of dyslexia, including slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling, poor writing, or mixing up similar words.”
For more supports and resources regarding dyslexia and related disorders, please click HERE.
