#1 in 5

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#1 in 5 〰️

Welcome to our Dyslexia Hub — a central place to learn about dyslexia, other learning differences, and how specialized instruction and support can help children and adults succeed academically and in life.

Dyslexia: Understanding a Common Learning Difference

Dyslexia is a common learning difference that affects approximately one in five students. In nearly every classroom, there are children who struggle with reading, spelling, and writing — not because of intelligence or effort, but because their brains process language differently.

Dyslexia occurs across all backgrounds and abilities, impacting boys and girls from every race and socioeconomic group. Yet despite its prevalence, dyslexia is often under-identified.

What is Dysleixa?

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological 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. (Adopted by the IDA Board, November 2002. This definition is also used by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), 2002.)

Common Parent Questions

If you’re wondering whether dyslexia could explain your child’s reading struggles, these articles may help answer some of your first questions.

My Child Is Smart but Can’t Read — Could It Be Dyslexia?

Common Signs

Source: Mayo Clinic

  • Signs that a young child may be at risk of dyslexia include:

    • Late talking

    • Learning new words slowly

    • Problems forming words correctly, such as reversing sounds in words or confusing words that sound alike

    • Problems remembering or naming letters, numbers and colors

    • Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or playing rhyming games

  • Once your child is in school, dyslexia signs and symptoms may become more apparent, including:

    • Reading well below the expected level for age

    • Problems processing and understanding what he or she hears

    • Difficulty finding the right word or forming answers to questions

    • Problems remembering the sequence of things

    • Difficulty seeing (and occasionally hearing) similarities and differences in letters and words

    • Inability to sound out the pronunciation of an unfamiliar word

    • Difficulty spelling

    • Spending an unusually long time completing tasks that involve reading or writing

    • Avoiding activities that involve reading

  • Dyslexia signs in teens and adults are similar to those in children. Some common dyslexia signs and symptoms in teens and adults include:

    • Difficulty reading, including reading aloud

    • Slow and labor-intensive reading and writing

    • Problems spelling

    • Avoiding activities that involve reading

    • Mispronouncing names or words, or problems retrieving words

    • Trouble understanding jokes or expressions that have a meaning not easily understood from the specific words (idioms), such as "piece of cake" meaning "easy"

    • Spending an unusually long time completing tasks that involve reading or writing

    • Difficulty summarizing a story

    • Trouble learning a foreign language

    • Difficulty memorizing

    • Difficulty doing math problems

Other Learning Difference

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Other Learning Difference *

  • Dysgraphia is a learning difference that affects writing and written expression.

    Common signs may include:

    • Poor or inconsistent handwriting

    • Difficulty forming letters or spacing words

    • Slow, effortful writing

    • Trouble organizing thoughts on paper

    • Avoidance of writing tasks

  • Dyscalculia is a learning difference that affects math skills and number sense.

    Common signs may include:

    • Difficulty understanding numbers and quantities

    • Trouble learning math facts

    • Confusion with math symbols or steps

    • Difficulty with time, money, or sequencing

    • Anxiety related to math tasks

  • ADHD affects attention, self-regulation, and executive functioning.

    Common signs may include:

    • Difficulty sustaining attention

    • Challenges with organization and time management

    • Impulsivity or restlessness

    • Difficulty following multi-step directions

    • Inconsistent academic performance

Student Voices

What I Wish I Had Known

A student reflects on lessons learned and offers guidance to others with dyslexia.

Talk to a Specialist

What Dyslexia Feels Like!

A student shares how dyslexia affects reading and learning in the classroom, and why understanding makes a difference.

Finding Confidence with Dyslexia

A student talks about challenges, strengths, and growing confidence through support.