Signs and Symptoms Of Dyslexia

What Is Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects language based skills such as reading, writing, pronouncing words, and spelling. This condition does not have any affect on someone's intelligence and most people that have it are of above average or higher intelligence. It can cause extreme difficulty when trying to learn in a normal classroom setting. More...

Common Symptoms Of Dyslexia

Frequently when people think of the symptoms of dyslexia what comes to mind is people getting their words backwards and reversing letters. This is only one of the symptoms of dyslexia though and it is one that not everyone has.

Difficulty reading single words off of flash cards and matching letters with the sounds they make are also symptoms that may display with dyslexia but showing only one or two symptoms does not necessarily mean a learning defect is present. More...

Getting Tested For Dyslexia

The first step of getting tested for dyslexia will come from screening usually done in the early years of school to determine if a child is at risk for dyslexia or other learning disorders.

The actual evaluations to determine whether or not someone truly has dyslexia are very complicated and include many different factors. There are several indicators and resources available that can help you determine if evaluation is required. More... 

What Causes Dyslexia

So far experts do not know what causes dyslexia but it is known to run in families. Having parents or siblings that are known to have dyslexia would mean a higher risk of having it yourself.

There have been studies that suggest it may be a problem with the way the brain links letters to the sounds that they make. Studies also suggest that it occurs in about the same amount of boys and girls.   

How Many People Are Affected By Dyslexia

The National Institute of Health estimates that as much as 15% of the population may have dyslexia but estimates have varied widely from one source to another.

This is partly because there was not a standard definition for dyslexia until recently and there are likely a large number of adults who have the condition but have never been tested. 

Common Dyslexia Treatment Options

Dyslexia is not a disease so there is no cure for it but it is a condition that can be managed. With help from parents, teachers, and others a child can get the help they need to learn reading and writing skills despite having dyslexia.

In extreme cases special education classes or tutors may be required. With help many children are able to manage this difficulty and go on to complete college and work in jobs where excellent reading and writing skills are required.