What is dyslexia?

By Varsha Seshadri

Dyslexia is a learning disability in reading, and falls under the neurodevelopmental disorders category. While dyslexia mainly affects reading, it can also affect writing and reading comprehension. While some think dyslexia is present in 5-10% of the population, some speculate 17% of people have comprehension difficulties.

It’s important to recognize dyslexia is not just “being dumb” or having poor vision; rather, it’s a problem with language. These are examples of some of the problems dyslexic people can have:

● Reading comprehension

● Spelling

● Writing

● Math

● Struggle Decoding Words

● Trouble with Phonemic Awareness (recognizing the sounds in words)

With this in mind, it’s important to recognize that symptoms vary from each person with dyslexia, so someone may not have all the listed symptoms.

Causes of Dyslexia

Like other neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, researchers haven’t found out a pinpoint cause for dyslexia yet. However, ther are a few speculations.

● Genetics. There is a link between kids and their parents who both have dyslexia.

● Brain anatomy. Studies have shown clear differences in the reading parts of the brain.

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-dyslexia 

Dyslexia and the Brain

There is actually no one spot in the brain dedicated to reading, but the various aspects of reading are redirected to one another, which helps us read. Most of these areas are found on the left hemisphere of the brain, which have all been altered.

References

Dyslexia and the Brain. (n.d.). International Dyslexia Association. Retrieved September 10, 2024, from https://dyslexiaida.org/dyslexia-and-the-brain-fact-sheet/ 

Rawe, J. (n.d.). What is Dyslexia? Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-dyslexia