Abstract
Background: Dyslexia is a developmental brain-based type of learning disability that affects a person's ability to read and spell words. Best estimates place 5 percent to 10 percent of the population with the condition, but the incidence of dyslexia is challenging to pinpoint, as the definition of dyslexia varies throughout research. Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of dyslexia, its characteristics, assessment and identification, and intervention techniques for the condition. Results: Although the disorder varies from person to person, common characteristics among people with dyslexia include difficulty with phonological skills, low accuracy and fluency of reading, poor spelling, and/or rapid visual-verbal responding. Dyslexia is a neurological condition and can be inherited, and recent studies have identified a number of genes that may predispose an individual to developing dyslexia. Identification of dyslexia early requires recognition of characteristics such as difficulty associating sounds with letters, reading dysfluencies, spelling difficulties, challenges with written expression and poor handwriting. Dyslexia assessments can guide professions in ways to best administer treatment, such as via strategies to enhance word training and improve decoding skills. All of these interventions have shown to benefit the reading and writing abilities of persons with dyslexia. Conclusions: The unique nature and presentation of dyslexia varies among individuals. The importance of understanding as much as possible and keeping abreast of the assessment and intervention strategies available is critical to minimizing the long-term effects of dyslexia.
Highlights
Dyslexia is a neurobiological, developmental, language-based learning disability that affects individuals’ ability to learn to read and the development of spelling skills
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the working definition of dyslexia labels it as a “specific learning disability.”
As a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin, dyslexia is characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities
Summary
Developmental, language-based learning disability that affects individuals’ ability to learn to read (accuracy and fluency) and the development of spelling skills. Individuals with dyslexia have difficulty connecting spoken language and the printed word because they have deficits in the phonological component of language. Difficulty decoding words accurately and fluently can affect reading comprehension and vocabulary development [1, 2]. Spelling difficulties may affect the production of written composition. Dyslexia can lead to poor academic performance, low self-esteem, and lack of motivation. It is not a sign of low intelligence, laziness, or poor vision, and occurs across the range of intellectual abilities [3, 4]
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