What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning difference in how one learns to read and write. It is rooted in phonological awareness and sequencing difficulties.

The IDA Board of Directors adopted the official definition of dyslexia by the International Dyslexia Association on Nov. 12, 2002. This definition is also used by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD):

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Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and 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 the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

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Studies show that individuals with dyslexia process information in a different area of the brain than non-dyslexics.

Many people who are dyslexic are of average to above-average intelligence.