What is Dyslexia?​

Dyslexia is a lifelong learning disorder that affects reading and spelling. It can also cause problems with writing and math.

​

Dyslexia is the most common specific learning disability. It’s not clear exactly how many people have it. Expert opinions vary widely, and estimates of the rate of dyslexia in kids range from 5 to 17.5 percent.

Since people don’t outgrow dyslexia, it’s common in adults, too. But “lifelong” doesn’t mean that people have the same difficulties throughout life. 

​

Because it affects reading, some people think dyslexia is a problem with vision. It’s not. Dyslexia is a problem with language processing. Reading starts with being able to recognize and work with the sounds of spoken language. This skill is called phonological awareness.

​

Dyslexia doesn’t look the same in all people. There are many aspects to reading, and people can struggle with some skills more than others. The difficulties can vary in degree, too. 

​

There’s no cure for dyslexia, but there is help. Specialized reading instruction and supports like accommodations can improve skills and reduce challenges at school and at work. 

​

Causes of dyslexia

Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It’s caused by differences in how the brain develops and functions. (The same is true of other learning disorders and ADHD.)

​

Researchers have used brain-imaging scans (fMRIs) to compare what happens in the brain when people with and without dyslexia read and process language. They’ve found that different areas of the brain are active in people with dyslexia.

​

Also, dyslexia runs in families. Researchers have been looking into the role genes might play. A large-scale study from 2022 showed many genetic differences that are linked to problems with reading and with processing language.

​

Symptoms of dyslexia

Signs of dyslexia vary from person to person and can change over time. They’re often different in kids than in adults. If you have dyslexia, your symptoms as an adult may not look like the symptoms you had as a child. But in general, people with dyslexia have trouble with:

• Decoding (sounding out words)

• Encoding (spelling words)

• Fluency (reading at a good pace and without mistakes)

​

Symptoms in kids

A key sign of dyslexia in kids is trouble with sounding out words and knowing how to blend sounds. But dyslexia symptoms can appear as early as preschool — before kids are learning to read. If your child has dyslexia, you may notice symptoms such as: 

• Mispronouncing words

• Struggling to learn nursery rhymes or song lyrics that rhyme 

• Mixing up letters that look similar

• Not being interested in learning about letters and sounds