Dyslexia is a language disorder that affects every area of a child’s life.

The International Dyslexia is Association describes dyslexia as:

• A specific learning disability that originates in the brain.
• Scientists have identified the differences in how dyslectic and nondyslexict readers function while reading.
• It is characterized by difficulties with reading, fluency of reading, poor spelling and poor decoding abilities.
• You may be thinking, my child can read and maybe they can.  But, doing so means laboring over every sound in nearly every word which makes their reading very slow.
• Maybe your child makes a high grade on the weekly spelling test, but once they have to write a paragraph it is as if they have forgotten every spelling rule they have learned.
• These difficulties typically result from a deficit in processing the sound systems and sound units of our language.
• You notice the smaller words or sound patterns like “at’ and” old” yet your child struggles to notice these patterns, especially as the words get longer.
• This deficit is inconsistent with the other cognitive abilities your child has.
• You know in your heart that your child is smart.  They can go on and on about topics of interest or new skills in science or maybe they are making straight A’s in math, but their reading skills are so far behind.

 

Here is the official definition:

“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.” – International Dyslexia Association