Dyslexia is an inherited condition that causes difficulty with spelling, reading and writing. It is the most common reason a bright child will struggle in school. Dyslexia is not rare. Research estimates that dyslexia affects about 20% of the population, or 1 in 5 individuals. The National Institutes of Health has been researching dyslexia for more than 30 years, which has resulted in years of replicated, independent, scientific research on dyslexia.
WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?
Here is the definition of dyslexia according to the National Institutes of Health:
“Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological 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”.
Dyslexia is often called a “hidden disability” because many people are not aware of it, nor do they know that it runs strongly in families.
Dyslexia erodes self-esteem, can cause intense daily frustration and can result in “homework wars”, which impact the entire family.
WARNING SIGNS
A person with dyslexia will not have every single warning sign. But if three or more of the following warning signs are present, don’t wait.
Preschool:
- Delayed speech
- Constant confusion of left and right
- Late establishing a dominant hand
- Trouble memorizing their address, phone number, or the alphabet
- A close relative that struggles with spelling and reading
Elementary School:
- Handwriting that is difficult to read (dysgraphia)
- Letter or number reversals past the end of first grade
- Guessing based on shape or context when reading
- Terrible spelling
- Trouble memorizing math facts or multiplication tables
High School:
- Limited vocabulary
- Extremely poor written expression
- Poor grades in many classes
- Unable to master a foreign language
- May drop out of high school