Dyslexia – Reading Difficulties

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 the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.  

(Adopted by the International Dyslexia Association Board of Directors: November 12, 2002) 

Dyslexia is neurobiological in origin, meaning that the problem is located physically in the brain. Dyslexia is not caused by poverty, developmental delay, speech or hearing impairments, or learning a second language, although those conditions may put a child more at risk for developing a reading disability (Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998). 

Dyslexia is characterised by problems with accurate or fluent word recognition, poor decoding, and poor spelling abilities. Diagnostic & Statistical Manual – Fifth Edition (DSM-5)

Dyslexia – Reading Difficulties in Summary

In summary, dyslexia is a neurological specific learning disability in reading. This difficulty typically includes word reading accuracy, reading rate or fluency and reading comprehension difficulties. Dyslexia can be diagnosed through a psychologist conducting a psychometric-educational assessment, and can be supported through direct specialised learning interventions.

Useful Websites

Dyslexia Fact Sheet – ‘Dyslexia isn’t a problem of intelligence, laziness, vision, or reading letters backwards’International Dyslexia Association 
British Dyslexia Association 
Australian Dyslexia Association
Learning Difficulties Australia
Famous People with Dyslexia

Are there positives to having dyslexia?

Dyslexia is NOT an illness or an intellectual disability. In fact, highly intelligent people can be dyslexic and can achieve at a very high level in their life abilities. People with dyslexia have a literacy learning difficulty and need to learn in a way that suits their individual needs. Dyslexia at school can impair literacy skills and literacy-related learning at school. But with support, there are ways through being dyslexic at school such as through the use of technology to support literacy.

There are prominent people who, in fact, are dyslexic e.g. business leaders, actors, movie directors, entrepreneurs, scientists such as Bill Gates, Henry Winkler, Jennifer Aniston. It is clear that there are also strengths to being dyslexic, and that this life challenge can be turned into a positive.

Those with dyslexia:

• Often excel in creativity, often displayed in the arts (music, art, drama).
• Often think differently, think outside the box
• Will have new ideas that others may not think of
• Have strength in reasoning ability
• Great problem solvers
• Abstract thinkers
• Concept developers