Dyslexia

WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?

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 growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

Adopted by the IDA Board, November 2002 and by the U.S. Federal Government’s Institutes of Health, 2002. For more information, see The International Dyslexia Association, on line at www.interdys.org.

The Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) defines dyslexia as a learning disability in the area of reading.

For more information, see LDonline at www.ldonline.org or Schwablearning online at www.schwablearning.org or Straight Talk About Reading, a website for parents at www.proactiveparent.com.