What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that manifests primarily as a difficulty with written language, particularly with reading and spelling.
Although dyslexia is the result of a neurological difference, it is not an intellectual disability. Dyslexia occurs at all levels of intelligence, average, above average, and highly gifted.
Dyslexia is most commonly characterized by difficulties with learning how to decode at the word level, to spell, and to read accurately and fluently. Some see dyslexia as distinct from reading difficulties resulting from other causes, such as a non-neurological deficiency with vision or hearing, or poor or inadequate reading instruction. There are three proposed cognitive subtypes of dyslexia (auditory, visual and attentional), although individual cases of dyslexia are better explained by specific underlying neuropsychological deficits and co-occurring learning disabilities (e.g. attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, math disability, etc.).
There is no cure for dyslexia, but dyslexic individuals can learn to read and write with appropriate education or treatment.
There is wide research evidence indicating that specialized phonics instruction can help remediate the reading deficits.
In the United States, researchers estimate the prevalence of dyslexia to range from five to nine percent of school-aged children, though some have put the figure as high as 17 percent.
List of Famous People Who Are Dyslexic or Had Dyslexia
NOTE: If you know of a discrepancy in this list please contact us so we can amend the entry.
House, van, personal loans, sources and information for singles, seniors, low income families, and disabled.
Chart of health and disability awareness ribbon colors including their associated causes and meaning.