Dyslexia

What is Dyslexia?

International Definition of 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 growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”

https://dyslexiaida.org/definition-of-dyslexia/

This definition of dyslexia can come across as harsh so it is important to note that:

1. Dyslexia is not caused by low intelligence.

2. Dyslexia is not seeing words and letters backwards.

3. Dyslexia is not laziness, behavioral or a social-emotional problem.

Dyslexia is just another way a brain can work and COMPLETELY normal. Dyslexic brains simply need non-traditional strategies to more easily learn to read.

Common Indicators of Dyslexia

General

Family history of dyslexic and struggling readers
Delayed speech
Anxiety about attending school

In Middle/High School

All of the above, plus:
Limited vocabulary
Extremely poor written expression
Poor grades in many classes
Inability to master a foreign language
At risk for dropping out of school

In Preschool

Mixes up sounds in long words (bisgetti instead of spaghetti)
Trouble rhyming words
Continuous left/right confusion
Difficulty learning to tie shoes
Struggles to memorize the alphabet, home address or phone numbers

In Elementary School

Reversing letters after the first grade
Slow, choppy, inaccurate reading
Frequent guessing at unknown words
Trouble remembering sight words
Terrible spelling
Slow, non-automatic handwriting
Difficulty finding the correct word when speaking
Messy bedroom, backpack, or desk

This information (with site permission) plus more on dyslexia can be found on my aunt's website: https://www.beautifulmindtutoring.com/about