What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin and distinguished from other learning disabilities due to weaknesses occurring at the phonological level. 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.

Interesting Facts:

• Estimated to affect 15 to 20% of population as whole have characteristics of dyslexia
• Often inherited-runs in families
• Occurs in every language
• Occurs equally in boys and girls, although more commonly diagnosed in boys

(Information from International Dyslexia Association) 
 

Signs of Dyslexia:

Difficulty:

• Acquiring and using written language
• Learning to speak
• Learning letters and their sounds
• Memorizing facts
• Reading quickly enough to comprehend
• Spelling
• Learning a foreign language
• Math operations

**This list is not meant to be exhaustive. Not all students who have difficulties with these skills have dyslexia.
 

Based on research, instruction for students with dyslexia should be:

• Intensive
• Direct and Explicit
• Systematic and Cumulative
• Multisensory
• Diagnostic and Prescriptive

MRI brain images show that the brain learns by practicing. It can actually get “rewired”!