Neurodivergence Definition of Dyslexia in Psychology What you should know about this learning disability By Wendy Wisner Wendy Wisner Wendy Wisner is a health and parenting writer, lactation consultant (IBCLC), and mom to two awesome sons. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 11, 2024 Learn more." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD Medically reviewed by Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and a professor at Yeshiva University’s clinical psychology doctoral program. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Marc Romanelli / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Definition Signs Diagnosis Causes Treatment Coping Trending Videos Close this video player Dyslexia is a learning disability commonly characterized by reading struggles. People who have dyslexia find it difficult to connect the letters they see on the page with the sounds that the letters make. As such, they often have difficulty blending letter sounds to form words, and may have trouble with learning to read, spelling, and reading fluency. However, reading difficulty isn't the only feature of this learning disability. Difficulty speaking about the same topic for a sustained period of time, understanding and following directions, and repeating words in the proper order are also common struggles. It can also make it challenging to express your ideas in an organized way. At a Glance Dyslexia makes it hard for your brain to process written language. It's a learning disability might cause you to mix up letters and struggle to read fluently, but it doesn't have anything to do with intelligence. Rather, it's linked to how your brain handles reading and writing. While it can feel really frustrating, there are ways to handle it and making reading and writing easier to manage. Finding the strategies that work for you, such as speech-to-text apps and personalized learning interventions, can help kids and adults with dyslexia manage their challenges. What Is Dyslexia? Dyslexia is categorized as a learning disability in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5-TR), the tool that doctors and mental health professionals use to diagnose mental health conditions. People with dyslexia may struggle to understand, learn, and use new words. Dyslexia can also lead to trouble building self-esteem and difficulty reading or speaking with confidence. Remember—and this is really important—people with dyslexia DO NOT have below-average intelligence—they just have trouble with reading. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting an estimated 10% of the population. Most people are diagnosed with dyslexia as children; with early detection and proper support, most treatment can be effective. Still, dyslexia is a lifelong learning disability that requires management and support. What Are Learning Disabilities? Signs of Dyslexia Everybody experiences dyslexia a little differently, but the main signs of dyslexia have to do with difficulty processing letters and their sounds, sounding out words on the page, and reading with ease and fluidity. People with dyslexia may also have trouble with writing and speaking, or any kind of language processing. The way dyslexia presents also varies according to how old you are. Let’s take a look at common dyslexia signs, by age group. Preschool Trouble learning the letters of the alphabetTrouble remembering and recognizing rhymes, such as in nursery rhymesDoesn't recognize the letters in their name Kindergarten and First Grade Has trouble sounding out simple words like "sat" and "tap"Has difficulty recognizing sight wordsStruggles to connect letters with their soundsMay show resistance when reading time comes up at school Second Grade Through High School Has a lower than average reading level, despite having a normal intelligence levelReads with difficulty and tries to avoid readingDoesn’t feel comfortable reading out loudHas trouble sounding out unfamiliar words Adults Can read, but with more effort than most peopleReading is a slow, tedious processDoesn’t enjoy reading for pleasure Understanding ADHD and Dyslexia How Is Dyslexia Diagnosed? You can get diagnosed and treated for dyslexia at any time in life. However, the earlier you are diagnosed, the easier it may be to treat. Typically, children who are struggling with reading in elementary school are evaluated for dyslexia. Often, their parents or teachers notice symptoms that may indicate dyslexia. Diagnosis of dyslexia is usually done by a licensed educational psychologist. There are no blood tests or medical evaluations needed to diagnose dyslexia. Instead, evaluative tests are used. These tests look at a person’s ability to decode words, read fluently, spell, and recognize words. Writing and speaking skills may also be evaluated. Examples of tests used to diagnose dyslexia include: Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)AIMSweb screening assessmentsPredictive Assessment of Reading (PAR)Texas Primary Reading Inventory (TPRI) Definition of Dyslexia in Psychology What Causes Dyslexia? Researchers aren't sure what causes dyslexia. But many people who have it also have family members with it, and experts believe certain genes may be involved in its development. Studies have found that people with dyslexia have brain differences that may affect their ability to process letters, words, and language. How Neuroplasticity Works Treatment for Dyslexia There is no medication that can treat dyslexia. Instead, people with dyslexia may benefit by working with a learning specialist who can offer them strategies for managing their condition. Children who attend school will likely need an IEP (individualized educational plan) to ensure they receive the proper services. Parents often have to work alongside school officials and staff to implement this plan. Once your child has an IEP, your child will be entitled by law to receive special services at school. These may include extra time on exams, homework, and instruction from a reading and dyslexia specialist. It's important to advocate for your child’s needs and to work in coordination with your child’s school so that what is taught at school is also implemented and reinforced at home. Section 504 Accommodations for Students With ADHD Coping With Dyslexia Noticing that your child is struggling with reading can come as an emotional gut punch, and you might feel stressed about your child’s future if you find out that they have dyslexia. Reminder It’s important to keep in mind that having dyslexia doesn't mean that your child lacks intelligence; it’s simply that their brain processes letters and decodes words with more difficulty than others. Getting your child a diagnosis is an important first step: it means that they will now begin to get the help they need so reading is less of a struggle. Supporting your child emotionally is just as important as getting them the services they need to manage their disability. Many children with dyslexia struggle with self-esteem issues. They may compare themselves to other children and find it frustrating and humiliating that they can't keep up with their peers. Encourage your child and remind them that dyslexia is not their fault. It has no bearing on their intelligence or ability to succeed in life. This message can be empowering. It can also be helpful to build up your child’s confidence by finding other activities they excel at, such as sports, art, or technology. If you are just learning that you have dyslexia as an adult, you may feel many emotions at first, including guilt or shame. But the truth is that you have likely struggled all your life with reading and may have thought you were simply not motivated enough to do better. Understanding that your challenges were caused by a disability can be freeing and can put your academic struggles in perspective. Takeaways Dyslexia can create frustration and affect confidence, but it's important to remember that it doesn't need to hold you back. With the right support and accommodations, you can find ways of managing your learning disability effectively. If you have further questions or concerns about dyslexia, or need extra support, please contact your healthcare provider, a learning specialist, or an educational psychologist who specializes in learning disabilities. I Became Dyslexic in My 30s—Here's How I Deal 14 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Dyslexia. The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity. Signs of dyslexia. Sunil AB, Banerjee A, Divya M, Rathod HK, Patel J, Gupta M. Dyslexia: An invisible disability or different ability. Ind Psychiatry J. 2023;32(Suppl 1):S72-S75. doi:10.4103/ipj.ipj_196_23 Snowling MJ, Hulme C, Nation K. Defining and understanding dyslexia: past, present and future. 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Nemours Children's Health. Understanding dyslexia. Wilmot A, Pizzey H, Leitão S, Hasking P, Boyes M. Growing up with dyslexia: Child and parent perspectives on school struggles, self-esteem, and mental health. Dyslexia. 2023;29(1):40-54. doi:10.1002/dys.1729 By Wendy Wisner Wendy Wisner is a health and parenting writer, lactation consultant (IBCLC), and mom to two awesome sons. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit