Understanding Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a type of learning disability in which a child has difficulty learning to read and understand written language. Even kids with average or above-average intelligence, plenty of motivation, and ample opportunities to read can have dyslexia. Because kids with dyslexia have trouble making the basic connection between letters and their sounds, they often also have difficulty with spelling, writing, and speaking.

Estimates are that up to 20% of all people in the United States have a reading disability and that 85% of those people have dyslexia. It's not clear what causes dyslexia, which can vary widely in terms of severity, but some research shows that it is inherited.

With the proper instruction and assistance, a child with dyslexia can learn to read, thrive in school, and succeed in the workforce. But it's important for the child to be diagnosed as early as possible and to promptly get any needed support and assistance.

What Is Dyslexia?

A common assumption about dyslexia is that letters or words appear reversed; i.e., "was" appears like "saw." This type of problem can be a part of dyslexia, but reversals are very common among all children up until first grade, not just kids with dyslexia.

When most kids are learning to read, they use typical "decoding" skills: They learn to recognize letters on sight and learn the sound that each letter makes. Then they begin to figure out what the letters look and sound like when they are put together to form words. They then put that together with learning and remembering the words and their meanings and how they fit into a sentence.

A child with dyslexia typically has trouble making the connection between the sound and the letter that makes that sound and difficulty blending those sounds to form words. If it takes too long to sound out the word, then the child has a hard time reading through sentences and understanding them. A child with dyslexia may forget the word and its meaning in the larger context of the sentence or paragraph.

In some cases of dyslexia, a child struggles with distinguishing between certain sounds, such as "P" and "B," or has difficulty identifying the correct order of letters.

Research now shows that dyslexia occurs because of the way that the brain is formed and how it processes the information it receives. People with dyslexia process information in a different part of the brain than people without dyslexia do.

The specific reason why some people process information this way is unknown, though genetics may play a role.

Diagnosing Dyslexia

Dyslexia is usually diagnosed during elementary school. In some cases, the dyslexia doesn't become apparent until the child is older and attempting to learn grammar and syntax and to read longer and more complex material.

Many children with dyslexia are not properly identified for several years. This creates a bigger reading problem and a drop in self-esteem. For these reasons, it is important to recognize dyslexia symptoms early in elementary school, and begin appropriate reading instruction right away.