Reading Learning Disability (Dyslexia)

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disability in reading. Dyslexia is the most prevalent learning disability, making up 80% of students identified with a learning disability. Individuals with dyslexia have poor word recognition and decoding skills, and therefore often have difficulty with reading fluency. Secondary challenges include difficulties with reading comprehension, vocabulary, and spelling. Many years of research has shown that people with dyslexia struggle with phonological processing (hearing and manipulating sounds in words), rapid naming (quickly naming items), orthographic processing (processing written language), working memory (the ability to hold information and work on it), and processing speed (the amount of time it takes to perceive information). Students who are dyslexic often don’t enjoy reading and avoid reading in front of others.

How is Dyslexia Diagnosed?

Dyslexia is diagnosed through assessment of:

• Cognitive skills  (intelligence testing)
• Academic testing in reading
• Phonological processing and other psychological processes that impact reading
• Parent interview
• Interviews with the child
• Interviews with teachers and other adults who work closely with the student
• Observations made by the examiner
• Review of school records

When is a Dyslexia Assessment Needed?

You may want to pursue a Dyslexia assessment if your child:

• Has difficulty with:
  • Decoding (sounding out words)
  • Reading comprehension (understanding what is read)
  • Reading fluency (reading accurately, quickly, and with ease)
  • Spelling
• Doesn’t like to read
• Has poor vocabulary