October is Dyslexia Awareness Month.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a neurologically based learning disability that makes it difficult to read, write and spell. Dyslexia occurs in individuals with normal intelligence, but their brains are wired differently than other people. The instructional methods typically used to teach reading and writing don’t work for Dyslexics. Working ‘harder’ doesn’t work for Dyslexics. They require specialized instruction that helps them to learn to read and write in a way that works with their brain’s wiring.

What are some of the signs of Dyslexia?

• Difficulty with phonemic awareness - understanding the relationship between letters and their sounds

• Significant difficulty with spelling

• Omitting, transposing or adding letters when writing

• Slow, choppy reading

• Difficulty pronouncing common multisyllabic words

• Needing to read information 2-3 times before it makes sense

• Limited vocabulary

• Family history - Dyslexia tends to run in families

What should you do if you have concerns for yourself or your child?

• Consider an evaluation by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). An SLP is specially trained in all areas of language and can diagnose Dyslexia and broader language disorders.