If you’ve heard the term dyslexia and aren’t sure what it means, you’re not alone. People tend to have a lot of questions about dyslexia. Is it a general term that covers many kinds of learning issues? Is it different from a specific learning disability? The answers here can help you develop a better understanding of dyslexia.
What exactly is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a lifelong condition that makes it hard to read. In some kids, it also can impact:
Kids with dyslexia often have trouble with basic language skills, like recognizing sounds in words and matching letter sounds and symbols (like the letter b with the sound buh). Kids also struggle with blending sounds together to make words. That can make it hard to sound out or “decode” words.
Kids with dyslexia can also struggle to understand what they read. Dyslexia can make it hard to read in a way that’s automatic, or seemingly without effort.
A common misconception is that dyslexia is a problem with vision. It isn’t. Dyslexia is a language issue.
People often think writing letters backward is a sign of dyslexia. But that’s not necessarily true.
There’s been a lot of brain imaging research into the causes of dyslexia. That research shows there are differences in the areas of the brain involved in key reading skills between people who have dyslexia and people who don’t. (Watch a video about dyslexia and the brain.)
In addition to trouble with decoding, some of the signs of dyslexia are:
Confusion when pronouncing words and phrases, such as saying “mawn lower” instead of “lawn mower”
Difficulty reading aloud with the proper tone and grouping words and phrases together appropriately
Trouble writing or copying letters, numbers and symbols in the correct order
Even though dyslexia doesn’t go away as kids get older, there are lots of accommodations and strategies that can help.
See a full list of signs of dyslexia at different ages.
Is dyslexia a specific learning disability?
Dyslexia is a term for a type of learning disorder. It’s also a type of learning disability. It falls under a category of disability that allows kids to get special education services.
That category is called specific learning disability. It’s one of 13 listed in federal special education law. Dyslexia isn’t called out separately on the list. But it’s mentioned as an example.
Many states have added dyslexia to their list of conditions that qualify students for help. Some have even passed dyslexia laws. And the U.S. Department of Education has specifically advised states to use the term in IEPs, at meetings and in special education evaluations.
Why is dyslexia confused with other learning issues?
Dyslexia often co-occurs with other learning and attention issues. Some of those issues have symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of dyslexia or that can mask dyslexia. That’s why it’s important for your child to have a full evaluation when looking at reading issues.
Here are some of the conditions that may sometimes look like dyslexia.
Dyscalculia mainly impacts math. But it can also cause problems with reading, writing and understanding numbers. Kids with dyscalculia may read numbers incorrectly or have trouble writing math numbers and symbols. It’s sometimes mistakenly referred to asnumber dyslexia or math dyslexia.
Dysgraphia makes it hard for kids to put words on paper and spell when writing. Dyslexia can also cause trouble with spelling and writing.
ADHD and executive functioning issues can impact reading, comprehension and writing. And ADHD and dyslexia often co-occur. This can make it hard to tease apart what’s causing the reading difficulties.
Dyslexia is a very common condition. But it’s also complicated. Knowing what dyslexia is and how it overlaps with other learning and attention issues will help you find the support your child needs.
Find out what to do if you think your child may have dyslexia. And if you recently found out your child has dyslexia, learn about next steps to take.
See a collection of dyslexia success stories, from Oscar winners to children’s book authors to kids like entrepreneur Max Ash.
Get answers to more common questions about dyslexia. And join conversations with parents of kids with dyslexia in the Understood Community.