Dyslexia Definition - What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is an inherited learning disorder that makes it hard for people to read, write, spell and pronounce words correctly. It is different from poor eyesight or low intelligence, and it does not affect your creativity or ability to think.


It is important to understand what dyslexia is and why it causes such a great difficulty in reading. Many teachers do not fully grasp the definition of dyslexia.

Symptoms
The most common symptoms of Dyslexia include difficulty with reading, spelling, and writing. This includes reversing letters and words (such as b and d), or missing sounds in words (such as wr and dr) or mixing up the order of words in a sentence.

This is a neurologically-based, often familial learning disorder that affects phonological processing skills, and can impact reading, writing, spelling, handwriting and sometimes arithmetic. It is different from other learning disabilities and is not due to a lack of motivation or effort, visual or hearing impairments, mental retardation, or emotional disturbance.

Kids with dyslexia often feel frustrated and embarrassed by their struggles. They may start to act up in class, or think they're stupid. They might even believe that other people are judging them, especially their parents and teachers. These feelings can make it hard for them to ask for help. They might get left behind in their classes, or rely on tutoring or special education services to keep up with their peers.

Diagnosis
Dyslexia is a learning disability that causes trouble with reading, spelling, writing and sometimes speaking. It can also affect math skills, memory, study habits, self-esteem and many other aspects of life. Getting diagnosed with dyslexia is the first step to getting the help you need.

There is no blood or neurological test for dyslexia, but medical professionals look for certain signs. They may also ask about other health problems, like hearing or vision loss.

A professional can evaluate a child for dyslexia by gathering information from interviews and observations. They can then use tests to identify strengths and weaknesses and provide a diagnosis. They can also recommend educational programs or interventions that have been shown to work for dyslexic children. They can even advise about medical procedures if they are needed. Acquired dyslexia usually develops after an injury or illness that damages the brain. It is less common than developmental or inherited dyslexia. It is also more difficult to diagnose and treat.

Treatment
For people who have dyslexia, effective treatment is available. This treatment includes learning strategies that improve reading, spelling, and writing skills. These strategies work best when used alongside a multisensory approach to learning. The multisensory approach means that students use all of their senses to learn—for example, running a finger over letters on sandpaper to spell, or tracing numbers on a piece of paper with their hands.

People who have dyslexia often have strong abilities in other areas, such as athletics or music. They can be quick learners when they have a clear goal and structure.

School specialists can set up in-classroom accommodations like extra time on tests or copies of teachers’ notes. They can also recommend a special program designed to help kids with dyslexia. These programs are usually intensive and taught one-on-one, but they can be found outside of schools as well. They are usually based on research on how the brain works with language, phonological processing and reading.

Support
It is important to remember that dyslexia does not mean that a child isn’t smart, it simply means they struggle with reading and spelling. This can be emotionally devastating for a young student who may feel that they are not keeping dyslexia diagnosis checklist up with their peers. They can become frustrated and try to cover up their difficulties with bullying, poor behavior or socializing.

The good news is that there are many ways to help a student with Dyslexia. The first step is to find an evaluation that can give you a comprehensive look at your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Then they can determine if they are eligible for special education.

At home, parents can help by making sure that their children have a consistent reading routine and encouraging them to read aloud. They can also help with spelling and writing by using word processing programs. Online support groups are another great way to connect with other families that have kids with Dyslexia.