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
