Learning Disorders and Dyslexia

Abstract

General learning disorders are characterized by global delays across a variety of academic skills, whereas specific learning disorders are characterized by difficulties in a particular area of academic skill. Perhaps the best understood of all the specific learning disorders is dyslexia – a learning disorder primarily affecting accurate and fluent reading and spelling. This article summarizes the nature and causes of dyslexia, and draws out implications for its assessment and treatment. Considering the characteristics of dyslexia and its overlap with other difficulties, dyslexia is best understood as a language learning impairment.