Understanding

Dyslexia
By Emily Lapkin

What Youll Learn

What is dyslexia?

How common is dyslexia?

What causes dyslexia?

What are the symptoms of dyslexia?

What skills are affected by dyslexia?

How is dyslexia diagnosed?

What conditions are related to dyslexia?

How can professionals help with dyslexia?

What can be done at home for dyslexia?

What can make the journey easier?

Raising a child with dyslexia can stir up a lot of emotions. You may look
ahead and wonder if this learning issue will affect your childs future. But
dyslexia is not a prediction of failure. Dyslexia is quite common, and
many successful individuals have dyslexia.

Research has proven that there are different ways of teaching that can
help people with dyslexia succeed. Theres a lot you can do as a parent
too.

If youre just starting your journey, dont try to tackle everything at once.
You can start helping your child simply by learning more about the
symptoms, causes and strategies that can be used at home and in
school.
What is dyslexia?
A good way to understand dyslexia is to establish what it is not. Its not
a sign of low intelligence or laziness. Its also not due to poor vision. Its
a common condition that affects the way the brain processes written
and spoken language.

Dyslexia is primarily associated with trouble reading. Some doctors,

specialists and educators may refer to it as a reading disorder or a
reading disability. But it can also affect writing, spelling and even
speaking.

People with dyslexia can still understand complex ideas. Sometimes

they just need more time to work through the information. They may also
need a different way to process the information, such as listening to an
audiobook instead of reading it.

If your child has dyslexia, she wont outgrow it. Its a lifelong condition.
But that doesnt mean your child cant be happy and successful. There
are many effective teaching strategies and tools that can help your child.
In fact, many people with dyslexia have successful careers in business,
science and the arts.

Theres a long list of famous people with dyslexia. This list includes
director Steven Spielberg, investor Charles Schwab and actress
Whoopi Goldberg. It also includes quarterback Tim Tebow, and author
Dav Pilkey, who created the popular Captain Underpants books.

People with dyslexia are often very creative. Its unclear whether such
creativity comes from thinking outside the box or from having a brain
thats wired a bit differently.

Its important to keep in mind, however, that struggles with reading and
other issues can lead to frustration and low self-esteem. The stress of
dealing with schoolwork can make kids with dyslexia lose the motivation
to keep trying.

There are lots of tools and strategies that can help. It might take some
trial and error for you to figure out which work best for your child. But
finding the right strategies and seeing improvement can boost your
childs confidence.
Essential Skills for Reading Comprehension
For kids with dyslexia, reading a single word can be a struggle. Dyslexia
also makes it hard to understand and remember what theyve read.

Early in elementary school, students are expected to read a passage of

text and answer questions about it. This is whats known as reading
comprehension, and its essential for building a strong foundation for
success in school. Students with dyslexia often have reading
comprehension problems because they need to develop several
underlying skills, such as:

Connecting letters to sounds: Kids have to learn that each letter

of the alphabet is associated with a certain sound or sounds.
(Teachers refer to this as phonics.) Once your child can make
these connections, shell be able to sound out words.

Decoding text: The process of sounding out words is known as

decoding. Once your child can decode individual words, she can
start to make sense of entire sentences.

Recognizing sight words: The ability to read a familiar word at

a glance without having to sound it out is called word recognition.
The more words kids can recognize by sight, the faster theyll be
able to read. Average readers can recognize a word by sight after
sounding it out a dozen or so times. Students with dyslexia may
need to see it 40 times.[1]

Reading fluently: Fluent readers can recognize most words by

sight and quickly sound out unfamiliar words. They also can read
smoothly and at a good rate. Fluency is essential for good reading
comprehension.

Understanding the text: Strong readers can remember what

theyve just read. They can summarize it and recall specific
details. Readers with dyslexia can get bogged down sounding out
individual words. This interrupts the flow of information and makes
it harder to understand and relate the new material to what they
already know.

If your child has been having trouble reading, its a good idea to find out
whats going on and get her some extra help. Thats because kids who
start out struggling with reading rarely catch up on their own.[2]
Fortunately, researchers have been studying dyslexia for decades.
They know which teaching methods and tools can help children with
dyslexia succeed. If dyslexia is diagnosed by third grade, its easier to
catch up. But its never too late.

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How common is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is very common. As many as 17 percent of U.S.
schoolchildren may have dyslexia.[3] Its the most commonly identified
learning issue. As many as 85 percent of students with learning
disabilities have dyslexia.[4]

Reading issues are only slightly more common in boys than in girls, but
schools identify boys with dyslexia twice as often.[5] This might be
because boys with reading issues tend to act up more in class than
girls. This catches the teachers attention.

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What causes dyslexia?

Researchers have yet to pinpoint what causes dyslexia. But they do
know that genes and brain differences might influence a childs chances
of having dyslexia. Here are some of the possible causes of dyslexia:

Genes and heredity: Dyslexia often runs in families. So if your

child has dyslexia, theres a chance you or another relative may
have it too. About 40 percent of siblings of children with dyslexia
may have the same reading issues.[6] As many as 49 percent of
parents of kids with dyslexia may have it too.[7] Scientists have
also found several genes associated with reading and language
processing issues.

Brain anatomy: Having dyslexia doesnt mean your child isnt

bright. In fact, many people with dyslexia have above-average
intelligence. But their brain may look different from the brain of
people who dont have dyslexia. Consider, for example, the planum
temporale. This area of the brain plays a role in understanding
language. Its typically larger in the dominant hemisphere (the left
side of the brain for right-handed people) than in the right
 hemisphere. But if your child has dyslexia, the planum temporale is
probably about the same size on both the left and right sides of the
brain.

Brain activity: To be able to read, our brains have to translate the

symbols we see on the page into sounds. Then those sounds
have to be combined into meaningful words. Typically the areas of
our brains responsible for language skills work in a predictable
way. But if your child has dyslexia, those areas dont work
together in the same way. Kids with reading issues end up using
different areas of the brain to compensate.

As researchers zero in on what causes dyslexia, theyre also learning

how the brain can change. This concept is known as neuroplasticity.
Studies show brain activity in people with dyslexia changes after they
receive proper tutoring.

What does this mean for your child? With the right help, your child can
make real and lasting improvements in reading ability. Knowledge of
how the brain rewires itself may also lead to even more effective help
for dyslexia in the future.

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What are the symptoms of dyslexia?

Because dyslexia affects some people more severely than others, your
childs symptoms may look different from those in another child. Some
kids with dyslexia have trouble with reading and spelling. Others may
struggle to write or to tell left from right.

Some children dont seem to struggle with early reading and writing. But
later on, they have trouble with complex language skills, such as
grammar, reading comprehension and more in-depth writing.

Dyslexia can also make it difficult for people to express themselves

clearly. It can be hard for them to structure their thoughts during
conversation. They may have trouble finding the right words to say.

Others struggle to understand what theyre hearing. This is especially

true when someone uses nonliteral language such as jokes and
sarcasm.
The signs you see may also look different at various ages. Some of the
warning signs for dyslexia, such as a speech delay, appear before a
child reaches kindergarten. More often, though, dyslexia is identified in
grade school. As schoolwork gets more demanding, trouble processing
language becomes more apparent.

Many children have one or two of these issues on occasion. But kids
with dyslexia have several of these issues, and they dont go away.

Here are some signs to look out for:

Warning Signs in Preschool or Kindergarten

Has trouble recognizing the letters of the alphabet

Struggles to match letters to sounds, such as not knowing what

sounds b or h make

Has difficulty blending sounds into words, such as connecting C-

H-A-T to the word chat

Struggles to pronounce words correctly, such as saying mawn

lower instead of lawn mower

Has difficulty learning new words

Has a smaller vocabulary than other kids the same age

Has trouble learning to count or say the days of the week and
other common word sequences

Has trouble rhyming

Warning Signs in Grade School or Middle School

Struggles with reading and spelling

Confuses the order of letters , such as writing left instead of felt

Has trouble remembering facts and numbers

Has difficulty gripping a pencil

Has difficulty using proper grammar

Has trouble learning new skills and relies heavily on memorization

Gets tripped up by word problems in math

Has a tough time sounding out unfamiliar words

Has trouble following a sequence of directions

Warning Signs in High School

Struggles with reading out loud

Doesnt read at the expected grade level

Has trouble understanding jokes or idioms

Has difficulty organizing and managing time

Struggles to summarize a story

Has difficulty learning a foreign language

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What skills are affected by dyslexia?

Dyslexia doesnt just affect reading and writing. Here are some
everyday skills and activities your child may be struggling with because
of this learning issue:

Social skills: There are several ways dyslexia can affect your
childs social life. Struggling in school can make your child feel
inferior around other kids. Your child may stop trying to make new
friends or may avoid group activities. Your child may also have
trouble understanding jokes or sarcasm. You can help your child
decode humor and also try different strategies to improve self-
esteem.

Listening comprehension: People with dyslexia tend to be better

listeners than readers. But dyslexia can make it hard to filter out
background noise.[8] This means your child could have trouble
following what the teacher is saying in a noisy classroom. Sitting
near the teacher can help reduce distractions.

Memory: Kids with dyslexia can take so long to read a sentence

that they may not remember the sentence that came before it. This
makes it tough to grasp the meaning of the text. Listening to an
audio version or using other kinds of assistive technology can
help.

Navigation: Children with dyslexia may struggle with spatial

concepts such as left and right. This can lead to fears about
getting lost in school hallways and other familiar places. Using a
 buddy system can help with transitioning from class to class.

Time management: Dyslexia can make it hard to tell time or stick

to a schedule. A cell phone alarm, picture schedule and other
prompts can help keep kids (and adults) on track.

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How is dyslexia diagnosed?

Finding out whats causing your childs reading issues can help in a
variety of ways. Your childs teachers can use the information to figure
out which methods of reading instruction to use. A diagnosis could also
open the doors to more free resources and support at school. These
resources might include one-on-one tutoring sessions with a reading
specialist and a laptop your child can use at home and at school.

Theres no single test for dyslexia, and getting a formal identification

often involves a team of professionals. As part of the evaluation
process, you may be asked to fill out questionnaires about your childs
strengths and weaknesses. Your childs teachers may be asked to do
the same thing. Here are the steps involved:

Step 1: Get a medical exam. Your childs doctor may test your childs
vision and hearing to see if these could be affecting her ability to read.
The doctor will also ask you about your childs development and
whether other family members have reading problems or other learning
issues.

Step 2: Get a referral to a specialist. Your child may be tested by a

psychologist or other professional who specializes in learning issues.
These specialists can provide insights into how your child thinks. Theyll
do tests to zero in on which areas shes struggling with. Your child will
be asked to read words and do some rhyming, spelling and writing,
among other things.

Psychological testing can also determine whether ADHD, anxiety,

depression or other issues are interfering with learning.

Step 3: Put it all together. The specialists will discuss their findings
and recommend ways to help your child. These may include a type of
tutoring called phonological awareness training. This can help improve
your childs understanding of how sounds and letters go together.
Remember that its never too early to start asking questions and getting
your child some extra help. The sooner your child starts getting the right
kind of help, the better her chances are of catching up to other kids her
age.

There are resources in place to help infants and toddlers develop the
language skills needed to become good readers. If your child is under
the age of 3, you can ask your states early intervention system to do a
free evaluation. No referral is needed.

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What conditions are related to

dyslexia?
Its not unusual for kids to be diagnosed with dyslexia and another
condition. There are also conditions that can look like dyslexia because
they have some of the same symptoms. Here are some conditions that
can coincide with or be mistaken for dyslexia:

ADHD can make it difficult to stay focused during reading and

other activities. Roughly a third of students with attention issues
also have dyslexia. Its also worth noting that teachers sometimes
overlook signs of dyslexia and assume a child has ADHD. That
might be because kids who have difficulty reading can fidget from
frustration. They can also act up in class to cover up not knowing
how to do what the teacher is asking.[9]

Auditory processing disorder affects kids ability to sort through

the sounds they hear. They may struggle to understand what
people are saying. Reading can also be tough for them. Thats
because so much of reading involves connecting sounds with
letters. Kids with auditory processing disorder often have trouble
recognizing the difference between letters like b and d and
sounding out new words.

Visual processing issues can make it hard to see the difference

between letters or shapes. Kids with visual processing issues may
complain of blurry vision or of letters hopping around on the page.
They may try to compensate by squinting or closing one eye. They
often reverse letters when writing and struggle to stay within the
lines.

Dysgraphia can affect childrens ability write and spell. It can also
 make it hard to organize their thoughts on paper. Many kids with
dysgraphia also have dyslexia.

Dyscalculia makes it hard to do math. Many kids have serious

difficulties in both reading and math and may have dyscalculia in
addition to dyslexia.[10] Trouble learning to count is associated
with both conditions.

Executive functioning issues can affect childrens ability to

organize and stay on task. Kids with weak executive functioning
skills may struggle with reading comprehension.

There are many ways parents and teachers can help with each of these
conditions. Some strategies may work better for some conditions than
others. Thats why its a good idea to get professionals to help you
identify which issues your child is struggling with. More information can
lead you to more effective ways to help.

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How can professionals help with

dyslexia?
There are many people who can help your child improve her reading and
writing skills. Some of these people may work at your childs school.
Some you may want to seek out in your community. Here are ways
professionals can help with dyslexia.

Your Childs Teachers

Schools have been working for decades to help students with reading
issues. Your childs teacher may be familiar with several methods of
reading instruction and try different approaches to help your child.

There are also accommodations that can help in class. These might
include giving extra time on tests or letting your child use high-tech tools
like word-prediction software. Even without a diagnosis, your childs
school can do a lot of things to help your child academically.

Response to intervention (RTI) is a process some schools use to

provide extra help to students who are falling behind. If your childs
school uses RTI, routine screenings identify which kids need help to
develop certain skills. Then those kids will receive small-group
instruction either within or outside of their regular classroom. If your child
doesnt make enough progress in a small group, the school should try
other approaches until it finds one that is successful.

Informal supports are strategies teachers can use to help struggling

students. Set up a meeting to talk about your mutual concerns. Common
strategies teachers use to help kids with dyslexia include using a
multisensory approach to link listening, speaking, reading and writing,
and having kids repeat directions back to the teacher.

Often, after trying some informal supports, you or the school may
recommend getting a 504 plan. A 504 plan will be created only if the
child is found to have a condition that interferes with learning. This is a
written plan detailing how the school will accommodate your childs
needs.

Another option you may want to pursue is to request an evaluation for

special education services. An evaluation will determine whether your
child qualifies for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

A key part of IEPs is setting yearly goals. If your child qualifies for an
IEP, youll get to help the teachers set these goals. Goals may include
increasing your childs vocabulary. They may also include improving
reading comprehension.

The plan will detail how the school will help your child meet these goals.
For example, the plan might include twice-a-week sessions with a
reading specialist. It might also include giving voice-recognition software
to your child.

Reading Specialists
Public schools have reading specialists who can work with your child
one-on-one or in small groups. These specialists can help your child
focus on improving reading skills. There are also private tutors who use
specialized methods of reading instruction that may help your child.

Your Childs Doctor

Sometimes dyslexia can take such a toll on your childs self-esteem that
anxiety and depression can set in. This makes school even more
difficult. Talk to your pediatrician about what youre seeing. Seeing a
psychologist could help your child manage stress.

Parent Advocates
Every state has at least one parent advocacy center. These nonprofits
are staffed by parents whose kids have disabilities. These experienced
parents have learned how to navigate the education system. They can
help you prepare for important school meetings and do other things to
get more resources for your child. You can find the center in your area
through the Parent Technical Assistance Network.[11]

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What can be done at home for

dyslexia?
Helping your child with dyslexia can be a challenge, particularly if youre
never been confident in your own reading and writing skills. But you
dont have to be an expert to help work on certain skills or strengthen
your childs self-esteem.

Keep in mind that kids (and families) are all different, so not all options
will work for you. Dont panic if the first strategies you try arent
effective. You may need to try several approaches to find what works
best for your child. Here are some things you can try at home:

Read out loud every day. If your child is very young, read picture
books together. For a grade-schooler or middle-schooler, snuggle
up with a copy of Harry Potter. For a teenager, consider reading
magazine or newspaper articles or maybe a recipe. Billboards,
store-discount signs and instruction manuals are also fair game.
Hearing you read can let your child focus on understanding the
material and expanding his overall knowledge base. Do it every
chance you can get.

Tap into your childs interests. Provide a variety of reading

materials, such as comic books, mystery stories, recipes and
articles on sports or pop stars. Look for good books that are at
your childs reading level. Kids with dyslexia and other reading
issues are more likely to power through a book if the topic is of
great interest to them.

Use audiobooks. Check your local library to see if you can

borrow audio recordings of books. You can also access them
online. Some stores sell books for younger kids that come with a
recording of the story on a CD that prompts them when its time to
turn the page. Listening to a book while looking at the words can
help your child learn to connect the sounds shes hearing to the
words shes seeing.
 Look for apps and other high-tech help. Word processors and
spell-check can help kids who have trouble with reading and
spelling. Voice-recognition software can help older students tackle
writing assignments by letting them dictate their ideas instead of
having to type them. There are also lots of apps and online games
that can help your child build reading skills.

Observe and take notes. Watching your child more closely and
taking notes on her behavior may reveal patterns and triggers that
you can begin to work around. Your notes will also come in handy
if you want to talk to teachers, doctors or anyone else you enlist to
help your child.

Focus on effort, not outcome. Praise your child for trying hard,
and emphasize that everyone makes mistakesyou included!
Help your child understand how important it is to keep practicing,
and give hugs, high-fives or other rewards for making even the
smallest bits of progress. Your encouragement will help your child
stay motivated.

See what it feels like. Use Through Your Childs Eyes to

experience what its like to have dyslexia. Sometimes simply
acknowledging that you understand what your child is going
through can boost her confidence enough to try different strategies
and stick with them long enough to see which ones are the most
helpful.

Make your home reader-friendly. Try to stock every room

(including the bathroom!) with at least a few books or magazines
your child might be interested in reading. Take a book when you go
out for pizza or on a trip, and read it to your family so you can all
discuss it. Look for other creative ways to encourage reading and
writing at home.

Boost confidence. Use hobbies and afterschool activities to help

improve your childs self-esteem and increase resilience. Try
different ways to identify and build on your childs strengths.

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What can make the journey easier?

Dyslexia can present challenges for your child and for you. But with the
proper support, almost all people with dyslexia can become accurate
readers. Your involvement will help tremendously.

Wherever you are in your journey, whether youre just starting out or are
well on your way, this site can help you find more ways to support your
child. Here are a few things that can help make the journey easier:

Connect with other parents. Remember that youre not alone.

Use our safe online community to find parents like you.

Get behavior advice. Parenting Coach offers expert-approved

strategies on a variety of issues that can affect children with
dyslexia, including trouble with time management, anxiety and fear,
frustration and low self-esteem.

Build a support plan. Come up with a game plan and anticipate

what lies ahead.

Understanding dyslexia and looking for ways to help your child is an

important first step. Theres a lot you can dojust dont feel you have to
do everything all at once. Pace yourself. If you try a bunch of strategies
at the same time, it might be hard to figure out which ones are working.
And do your best to stay positive. Your love and support can make a big
difference in your childs life.

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Key Takeaways

Dyslexia is a lifelong condition that affects

reading, writing, spelling and even speaking.

Dyslexia is very common and is not a sign of

low intelligence.

Teaching methods that involve sight, sound

and touch can improve skills significantly.

Sources
[1] Handler, Sheryl, and Walter Fierson. "Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia,
and Vision." Pediatrics 127.3 (2011): E818-856. American Academy of
Pediatrics. Web.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/3/e818.full?
sid=bd9574fb-4575-4d35-a46e-a63394e68331

[2] Ibid.

[3] Shaywitz, Sally, and Bennett Shaywitz, "Neural Systems for

Compensation and Persistence." Yale Center for Dyslexia.
http://dyslexia.yale.edu/CLI_ScientificDiscoveries.html

[4] "Dyslexia Basics." Interdys.org. International Dyslexia Association.

Web. http://www.interdys.org/ewebeditpro5/
upload/DyslexiaBasicsREVMay2012.pdf

[5] "Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision."

[6] Shaywitz, Sally, and Bennett Shaywitz. "The Neurobiology of

Reading and Dyslexia." Focus on Basics 5.A (2001). NCSALL.net.
National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. Web.
http://www.ncsall.net/index.html@id=278.html.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Sperling, Anne, et al. "Deficits in Perceptual Noise Exclusion in

Developmental Dyslexia." Nature Neuroscience 8 (2005): 86263.
Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group.
http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v8/n7/abs/nn1474.html

[9] Spiro, Linda. "The Most Common Misdiagnoses in Children."

Childmind.org. Child Mind Institute.
http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/articles/2013-4-9-most-common-
misdiagnoses-children

[10] Barbaresi, William, et al. "Math Learning Disorder: Incidence in a

Population-Based Birth Cohort, 197682, Rochester, Minn." Ambulatory
Pediatrics 5.5 (2005): 28189. Web.

[11] "Parent Center Listing." Parentcenternetwork.org. Parent Center

Network. Web.
http://www.parentcenternetwork.org/parentcenterlisting.html
About the Author
Emily Lapkin

More by this author

Reviewed by Elizabeth Babbin Apr 02, 2014

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