By Wilfred van Gorp, Ph.D., ABPP
Dyslexia is an often-used term but one that is frequently misunderstood. The core problem for persons with dyslexia is difficulty reading. For reasons that are not yet fully understood, some persons from birth have trouble learning to read. Even as they mature, their reading remains slow and halting. Early in school, children with a reading disorder dread being called upon to read aloud. These children may or may not also have trouble with writing, but a reading disorder is not always associated with a disorder of writing, and dyslexia should not be confused with writing problems, which represent a separate, though related, condition.
Dyslexia reflects a problem in the area of the brain that interprets and deciphers language. It is not related to poor vision or hearing, and it has nothing to do with intelligence. In fact, persons with dyslexia are often of at least average intelligence or higher. This creates genuine confusion for children who sense they are smart but cannot understand why reading is so hard. Only when dyslexia is properly evaluated and explained does a child, or adult in many cases, come to fully reconcile their intelligence with their specific difficulty.
Common Misconceptions About Dyslexia
It is a common misconception that persons with dyslexia frequently reverse letters such as b and d when writing. Although this can occur, it is not the hallmark of dyslexia. The majority of persons with reading disorders do not make these types of errors. Dyslexia is about difficulty processing and decoding language, not about flipping letters on a page.
Dyslexia is not caused by poor teaching or lack of effort. It is neurological in origin and present from birth. No amount of harder work alone will resolve it, though the right kind of targeted instruction can make a significant difference.
What Causes Dyslexia?
Although decades of research have been conducted, scientists have not yet discovered the exact cause of dyslexia. We know it is related to differences in the area of the brain responsible for interpreting language, and the condition may originate before birth, while the fetus is still developing. Dyslexia has a strong genetic component and tends to run in families.
There is a higher representation of left-handedness among persons with dyslexia, though the vast majority of left-handers do not have dyslexia. The condition occurs more often in males than females. People with dyslexia also have a higher prevalence of autoimmune conditions such as asthma. None of these factors cause dyslexia, but they are part of the broader neurobiological picture.
Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia
Dyslexia can look different depending on a person’s age and circumstances. In young children, early warning signs include difficulty learning the alphabet and letter sounds, trouble recognizing words that rhyme, and slow reading progress despite adequate instruction. In school-age children, signs include slow, labored reading, inconsistent spelling, and dreading tasks that require reading aloud.
In older children and adults, symptoms may be more subtle because many people develop coping strategies over time. Common signs include reading slowly and with significant effort, difficulty spelling even familiar words consistently, avoiding tasks that require extensive reading or writing, and struggling to absorb written information quickly.
It is estimated that over 40 million Americans have dyslexia, though the majority are never formally identified.
Is Dyslexia a Learning Disability?
Yes. Dyslexia is classified as a specific learning disability in reading. In the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the diagnosis falls under Specific Learning Disorder with impairment involving reading. Students with a documented dyslexia diagnosis may be eligible for academic accommodations such as extended time on tests, access to audiobooks, or a reader. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, adults with dyslexia may also qualify for workplace accommodations.
Dyslexia in Adults
Dyslexia does not go away with age, though some persons with dyslexia, especially those who have had interventions as children, can “outgrow” the condition. Many adults were never identified as children, particularly those who developed compensatory strategies that allowed them to manage academically. Adults with undiagnosed dyslexia often describe a lifelong sense of working harder than everyone else for the same results, especially in reading-intensive environments. Getting evaluated as an adult is absolutely worthwhile and can open the door to accommodations at work or on professional licensing exams.
How Is Dyslexia Diagnosed and Treated?
There are no magic cures for dyslexia, but the first step toward getting help is an accurate assessment. This usually involves a neuropsychological evaluation, sometimes called a psychoeducational evaluation, of a child or adult. Once the evaluation is performed and the specific areas of difficulty are identified, a treatment plan can be developed. Tutoring using structured literacy methods, smaller class settings, and academic or workplace accommodations are all commonly helpful.
Many well-known and accomplished individuals have had dyslexia. It has been said that Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, Pablo Picasso, and many others dealt with the condition. Dyslexia may represent a challenge, but it does not mean failure and it does not define a person’s potential.
At the Cognitive Assessment Group, we provide comprehensive dyslexia evaluations for children and adults in New York City and Chicago, as well as via telehealth. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation.
Related: Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities Testing | Test Accommodations | Make an Appointment
Frequently Asked Questions About Dyslexia
The most reliable way to identify dyslexia is through a formal neuropsychological or psychoeducational evaluation. Common signs include slow or labored reading, inconsistent spelling, difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words, and a pattern in which verbal ability is noticeably stronger than written performance. In children, early signs include trouble learning letter sounds and rhymes. In adults, common signs include slow reading and avoidance of writing tasks.
Dyslexia is a learning difference that makes reading significantly harder than expected, despite normal intelligence and adequate instruction. It is caused by differences in how the brain processes language sounds and is present from birth. It is the most common learning disability and affects people of all backgrounds and ability levels.
Yes. Dyslexia is recognized as a specific learning disability under federal law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with a dyslexia diagnosis may be eligible for academic accommodations, and adults may qualify for workplace accommodations. A neuropsychological evaluation provides the documentation needed to request these supports.
Yes, and it happens more often than most people realize. Many adults with dyslexia were never formally identified as children. An adult evaluation follows the same process as a child evaluation and can provide both answers and practical access to accommodations. If you have always struggled with reading or spelling despite effort, it is worth discussing an evaluation with a neuropsychologist.
All dyslexia involves a reading problem, but not all reading problems are dyslexia. Dyslexia specifically refers to a neurologically based difficulty with decoding and word recognition rooted in phonological processing. A neuropsychological evaluation identifies which aspects of reading are affected and what is driving the difficulty, which is necessary for targeting the right intervention.
