RESOURCES
What is Dyslexia?
As defined by the International Dyslexia Association, “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.
What are Common Signs of Dyslexia?
Students with dyslexia have trouble with early reading skills, hearing individual sounds within words, analyzing whole words in parts, and blending sounds to make words. There often is an issue with translating language into thought or thought into language.
Other signs include:
Reading
- Very slow in acquiring reading skills. Reading is slow and awkward.
- Trouble reading unfamiliar words, often making wild guesses because he cannot sound out the word.
- Does not seem to have a strategy for reading new words.
- Avoids reading out loud.
Speaking
Searches for a specific word and ends up using vague language, such as “ stuff ” or “ thing, ” without naming the object . Pauses, hesitates, and/or uses lots of “ ums ” when speaking . Confuses words that sound alike, such as saying “ tornado ” for “ volcano, ” substit uting “ lotion ” for “ ocean. ” Mispronunciation of long, unfamiliar, or complicated words. Seems to need extra time to respond to questions.
Speaking
Searches for a specific word and ends up using vague language, such as “ stuff ” or “ thing, ” without naming the object . Pauses, hesitates, and/or uses lots of “ ums ” when speaking . Confuses words that sound alike, such as saying “ tornado ” for “ volcano, ” substit uting “ lotion ” for “ ocean. ” Mispronunciation of long, unfamiliar, or complicated words. Seems to need extra time to respond to questions.
Strengths
Excellent thinking skills: conceptualization, reasoning, imagination, abstraction.
Learning that is accomplished best through meaning rather than rote memorization.
A surprisingly sophisticated listening vocabulary.
The ability to read and to understand at a high level overlearned (or highly practiced) words in a special area of interest; for example, if he or she loves cooking they may be able to read food magazines and cookbooks.
A high level of understanding of what is read to him.
Ability to get the “big picture.”
Improvement as an area of interest becomes more specialized and focused—and a miniature vocabulary is developed that allows for reading in that subject area.
Excels in areas not dependent on reading, such as math, computers, and visual arts, or in more conceptual (versus fact-driven) subjects, including philosophy, biology, social studies, neuroscience, and creative writing.
What does a diagnosis of dyslexia say about a child’s abilities?
People with dyslexia learn differently from others. While intelligence level has nothing to do with the condition, most children with dyslexia are talented. However, if not addressed effectively, dyslexia often creates a gap between aptitude and achievement. Every child with dyslexia has different strengths and weaknesses. Many have unusual talent in architecture, art, athletics, drama, engineering, graphics, and/or music, which require the ability to integrate sight, spatial skills, and coordination.
There have been many well-known successful people with dyslexia, including Steve Jobs, Winston Churchill, Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, Ted Turner, Steven Spielberg, Agatha Christie, Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams and seven U.S. presidents. (Encyclopedia of Children’s Health, 2018)
IDA Fact Sheet, “Dyslexia Basics” Moats & Dakin, Carolyn D. Cohen, 2016.
14%
School Population Nationwide are identified as having handicapping conditions.
Books on Dyslexia
Right Brain Children in a Left-Brain World
The Right-Brain Child in a Left-Brain World” by Jeffrey Freed and Laurie Parsons explores how children with right-brained thinking styles may face challenges in an educational system that often prioritizes left-brain skills like logic and analysis. The book offers strategies to nurture these creative and imaginative children within a left-brain dominant environment. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and celebrating diverse learning styles to help children reach their full potential.
The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child
by Frank Robert: In The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child, you will finally discover what your child goes through every day. You will come to understand his struggles with things you take for granted, such as reading, writing, memory, and following directions. What’s more, you will learn, step by step, the best ways to help him reach his true potential.
Overcoming Dyslexia, by Sally Shaywitz:
The landmark book chronicling the research done at Yale University on dyslexia that shows dyslexia is a different wiring in the brain. Too many people misunderstand dyslexia, and this is one of the best books on getting the facts about dyslexia – founded on research.
The Dyslexia Advantage
by Brock Eide and Fernette Eide: Researchers Brock and Fernette Eide look at dyslexia from a strength’s standpoint – an angle that more people who understand dyslexia are looking to promote. This book details the inherent strengths of the dyslexic mind.
Books on ADHD
Driven to Distraction
Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward M. Hallowell M.D. and John J. Ratey M.D. Groundbreaking and comprehensive, Driven to Distraction has been a lifeline to the approximately eighteen million Americans who are thought to have ADHD. Now the bestselling book is revised and updated with current medical information for a new generation searching for answers.
Smart but Scattered
The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare: There is nothing more frustrating than watching your bright, talented son or daughter struggle with everyday tasks like finishing homework, putting away toys, or following instructions at school. Your “smart but scattered” child might also have trouble coping with disappointment or managing anger. Drs. Peg Dawson and Richard Guare have great news: there is a lot you can do to help.
Organizations
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), is a national non-profit organization providing education, advocacy, and support for individuals with ADHD. CHADD also publishes a variety of printed materials to keep members and professionals current on research advances, medications and treatments.
The purpose of IDA is to pursue and provide the most comprehensive range of information and services that address the full scope of dyslexia and related difficulties in learning to read and write in a way that creates hope, possibility, and partnership.
Understood is a collection of 15 different nonprofit organizations that have joined forces to help the families of children with learning disabilities. The information and resources available on this site are practical, useful, and well-researched.