Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms, which result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. Dyslexia is a learning disability because it can make it very difficult for a student to succeed academically in the typical instructional environment. Current studies suggest that 15-20% of the population has a reading disability. Of those, 85% has dyslexia.
While dyslexia brings challenges, dyslexic thinkers have many valuable strengths. In fact, LinkedIn has recently listed “dyslexic thinking” as a specific skill because employers see the value in creative, outside-the-box thinkers who see the big picture and solve problems in unconventional ways.
Signs of dyslexia appear as early as preschool. Click here to learn more about the signs of dyslexia at a variety of developmental stages.