Dyslexia – General Info

What is dyslexia?

“Dyslexia is 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 the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”  International Dyslexia Association (2002)

Dyslexia originates in the brain. It can be seen when an individual reads slowly, laboriously, and/or lacks automaticity. Individuals with dyslexia often struggle to process speech sounds, so they may also struggle to spell multisyllabic words and/or high-frequency words such as was, said, does, etc. 

Despite challenges with reading and spelling, intelligence is not affected by dyslexia. An individual with dyslexia can have great skills in other areas, including mathematics, 3-D conceptualization, storytelling, problem-solving, art/design, people skills, and more! 

Definition of Dyslexia. International Dyslexia Association. (2018, July 16). https://dyslexiaida.org/definition-of-dyslexia/
 

How do people acquire dyslexia?

Dyslexia is neurobiological and genetic. Generally, individuals inherit the genetic links for dyslexia from a family member. Dyslexia is not a disease that can be “cured.” However, through a proper diagnosis, a rigorous structured literacy program, and proper accommodations, the impact it has on an individual can be lessened.

International Dyslexia Association (2020)

Dyslexia basics. International Dyslexia Association. (2020a, March 10). https://dyslexiaida.org/dyslexia-basics/
 

Difficulties and Characteristics Associated with Dyslexia

The following difficulties and characteristics can vary from child to child. Not all children will have all of these characteristics. 

Reading Difficulties:

              • Learning to read
              • Rhyming or counting syllables in words (phonological awareness)
              • Hearing and manipulating individual sounds in words (phonemic awareness)
              • Differentiating sounds in words (phonological processing)
              • Learning letters and letter sounds (phonics)
              • Trouble reading multisyllabic words
              • Misreading or omitting common short words (the, and, of, etc.)
              • Poor reading comprehension during oral or silent reading 
              • Laborious oral reading

Oral Language Difficulties:

  • Confusion with “before” and “after,” “right” and “left,” and similar directional words
  • Pronouncing words
  • Mixing up the order of syllables 
  • Following directions
  • Word retrieval or naming (e.g., confusing “sympathy” with “symphony”)

Writing Difficulties:

  • Putting ideas on paper
  • Poor spelling
  • Word selection
  • Challenges with proofreading

Other Symptoms That Occur With Dyslexia

  • Weak memory for lists, multiplication facts and directions
  • Difficulty with word math problems
  • Difficulty with executive functioning (e.g., planning, keeping track of time, keeping track of more than one thing at a time, finishing work on time, seeking more information when necessary, etc.)
  • People with dyslexia work much harder when interacting with text compared to people who do not have dyslexia

Social and Emotional Impacts of Dyslexia

Children with dyslexia experience emotions more acutely, face increased internalization, and endure greater emotional reactivity. Many children with dyslexia, especially those not yet identified, may feel chronically inadequate at school, a constant sense of failure, stress, and overwhelm, and even generally inferior to their peers and the world around them. 

The social-emotional impacts of dyslexia vary from child to child. Listed below are some of the most common:

  • Low Self-Esteem / Poor Self-Image
  • Poor Emotional Regulation
  • Anxiety / Fear / Avoidance
  • Anger / Intense Frustration
  • Depression
  • Difficulty with social relationships / Discomfort in social situations
  • Comorbidity with ADHD

Social-emotional struggles can also lead to physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches.