What is dyslexia? “Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”
[Adopted by the IDA Board of Directors, Nov. 12, 2002. This Definition is also used by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)]
How widespread is dyslexia? About 5% of the school population nationwide has a learning disability in reading that qualifies them for special education. Many more people – as many as 20% of the population as a whole – have some of the symptoms of dyslexia, including slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling, poor writing, or mixing up similar words. Even though they may not qualify for special education, they still struggle with many aspects of academic learning.
Is there a lack of effective training and instruction? Educators (including general education teachers, reading specialists and special education teachers) often receive no training on dyslexia. As a result, many California families whose children demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia are struggling to secure effective reading instruction for their children within public schools. There is no systematic screening* of students at risk for dyslexia, and very few opportunities for the evidenced-based instruction that is needed for these students. This is not a “failing school” issue. This is an issue that affects families in all school districts across our state regardless of demographics.
New legislation (SB 114), which DDCA helped pass, will require kindergarten through second grade (K-2) universal screening for reading difficulties, including risk of dyslexia, beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
Studies show that individuals with dyslexia process information in a different area of the brain than do non-dyslexics. Check out this video:
Here are a few informative websites that describe the signs of dyslexia:
- International Dyslexia Association
- National Center for Learning Disabilities
- Susan Barton, Bright Solutions for Dyslexia
- Sally Shawitz, Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
Typically the signs of dyslexia are right beneath the surface.
This graphic shows the hidden disability: Dyslexia.
Credit: Image courtesy of Lexercise