Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that primarily affects reading and related language-based processing skills. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition, poor spelling, and decoding abilities, despite adequate intelligence and educational opportunity.
Signs of Dyslexia
Common signs include difficulty learning letter sounds, trouble sounding out words, slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling, avoiding reading aloud, and difficulty with rhyming. Signs may appear as early as preschool or become apparent when reading instruction begins.
Evidence-Based Interventions
Dyslexia responds well to structured literacy instruction that is explicit, systematic, and multisensory. Approaches like Orton-Gillingham directly teach the relationships between sounds and letters in a structured sequence. Early intervention produces the best outcomes.