What Is Dyslexia?
ABOUT DYSLEXIA
The International Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as:
“a specific learning disability that is neurobiological 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 growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”
Essentially, dyslexia is a learning disorder that impairs one’s ability to read to a greater or lesser degree. Dyslexics may also have difficulty with other language skills, such as spelling and writing. Dyslexia is classified as a learning disorder (LD) since it significantly impacts one’s ability to access academic curriculum and learn required material in the schools.
Chances are, you know or have known someone who has dyslexia. It is estimated that 15-20% of the population has dyslexia whether diagnosed or undiagnosed. Frequently, dyslexic children also present with other language difficulties that include the areas of spoken language and auditory comprehension, resulting in many of these children being diagnosed with a Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
Similar to DLDs, dyslexia is a lifelong disorder that can’t be “cured”. However, with early detection and appropriate treatment, support and advocacy, dyslexic individuals can achieve success throughout elementary, middle and secondary school and beyond.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF DYSLEXIA?
While dyslexia is generally thought of as significant difficulty with reading, there are other signs and symptoms to watch for that may be indicative of dyslexia (International Dyslexia Association). Dyslexic children often have trouble with the following:
Learning to speak
Learning letters and their corresponding sounds
Organizing written and spoken language
Reading comprehension
Completing longer reading assignments
Spelling
Mathematical problems, especially word problems
If your child exhibits difficulty with any or all of the above skills, he may benefit from a comprehensive language evaluation that includes reading and writing to rule out dyslexia.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DYSLEXIC STUDENTS
Fortunately, if your child has a dyslexia diagnosis, there are many ways to support their learning in the classroom. These include evidence-based reading programs, extended time to take tests, access to a quiet space for test taking, recorded lectures to aid in retention and note-taking, speech-to-text devices and applications, and text-to-speech devices and applications (The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity).
With these accommodations, many dyslexic students find academic success. According to the research, approximately 70% of people with dyslexia and other learning disabilities go on to receive their high school diploma (Zauderer, 2023).
If you suspect that your child has dyslexia, the best course of action is to seek the advice of a professional as soon as possible. Early identification is the single most important factor in the future success of these students.
Sources:
International Dyslexia Association. https://dyslexiaida.org/
The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. https://dyslexia.yale.edu/
Zauderer, S. (2023, June 30). 33 Dyslexia Statistics and Facts: How Many People Have Dyslexia. [Cross River Therapy web blog post]. Retrieved from Cross River Therapy on October 19, 2023.