Dyslexia is a learning difference that is language-based. The term “dyslexia” can refer to a multitude of symptoms that result in difficulties with language skills, such as spelling, reading, comprehension, and pronouncing words. A person who has dyslexia will have dyslexia for their entire life, however, the impact of dyslexia can vary during different stages of life. The reason that dyslexia is referred to as a “learning disability” is that it can make it difficult for an individual to succeed in a typical educational environment. If the dyslexia is severe, it may qualify a student for special educational services and support. With the proper approach, a child, teenager or adult with dyslexia can learn to read and write well!

The words of Barbara A. Bliss, a longtime Orton-Gillingham literacy tutor and instructor, also provide valuable insight:

“Some people, returning from a concert are able to play “by ear” music they have just heard. Most of us need sheets of music before we can play the melodies. How wonderful to be able to “hear” music without the sound!

There are people who can retain the image of someone’s face and draw it accurately some time later. Unless we possess such inherited gifts, we need extensive instruction and a great deal of practice to draw even a ‘reasonable facsimile’.

The ability to recognize and remember words also varies greatly. While some can memorize pages of data and reproduce it without error, others cannot copy a person’s name without looking back and forth between copy and original several times, writing each letter separately.

Is it really so strange that there are people who must exert an unusual amount of effort to be able to read and write? Such people are described as being dyslexic; that is, they have difficulty with language. They may be gifted in other ways, including general “intelligence”, but to acquire language skills they need an alternative teaching approach.”  

Dyslexia is hereditary and passed on through genes. Individuals with dyslexia often have family members who also have dyslexia. Often, if dyslexia cannot be traced to the members of the individual’s immediate family, it can be traced to members of their extended family.

A common perception is that people with dyslexia read or spell words backwards; however, this is a specific, and rather uncommon manifestation of dyslexia. According to the International Dyslexia Association, some of the common signs of dyslexia are difficulties:

•Learning to speak

•Organizing written and spoken language

•Learning letters and their sounds

•Memorizing number facts

•Spelling

•Reading

•Learning a foreign language

•Correctly doing math operations

Some other signs common in younger children are:

•Difficulty reading single words, such as a word on a flashcard

•Difficulty learning the connection between letters and sounds

•Confusing small words, such as at and to

•Letter reversals, such as d for b

•Word reversals, such as tip for pit

•Difficulty rhyming

Among dyslexia tutors and other educational professionals, there has been a discussion for some years regarding whether dyslexia should be called a “learning disability”. Certainly, as dyslexia tutors and parents know, dyslexia effects an individual’s acquisition and use of written language. In this sense, it might make sense to label dyslexia as a disability. However, those who are opposed to this label state that it gives the wrong impression, because calling it a “disability” seems to indicate that a student with dyslexia is unable to function with written language. This is an inaccurate assumption, because with dyslexia tutoring and the proper approach, an individual with dyslexia definitely can learn to read, write and spell! During my work as a dyslexia tutor, I have seen examples of this over and over again.

Absolutely not! Children with dyslexia can be very bright, but they sometimes struggle with certain academic subjects simply due to their dyslexia. This difficulty can lead to them being inappropriately labeled as having low intelligence, when in fact, they are bright. A dyslexia tutoring program can help them achieve their full potential.

There is no quick fix for dyslexia, but there are very effective means for helping individuals with dyslexia read and succeed with language given a realistic timeframe.

Dyslexia cannot be “cured” in the sense that it will disappear after treatment. However, with the proper training and help, kids with dyslexia can learn to read proficiently and achieve academically. In addition to providing them with the skills they need to succeed, special training can also help them understand what kind of learner they are, thus helping them set themselves up for success.

Definitely! With the proper help, a child, teenager or adult with dyslexia can learn to read well and comprehend the material they are reading.

Kids with dyslexia can’t learn to read with certain instructional methods that are used for other children, because their minds comprehend language differently. Some children are able to absorb phonetic sounds and syllable rules even though they are not formally taught them, but for many other children, this method does not work. In particular, kids with dyslexia have a difficult time learning to read using this method; they need phonetic sounds and language rules presented in a clear and concise manner.

While individuals with dyslexia sometimes share certain difficulties, the degree and nature of these difficulties can vary dramatically. As a result, it is best to approach each case of dyslexia on an individual basis to best discern a student’s difficulties and needs.

Absolutely! Many children with dyslexia go on to lead successful lives in many different professions. Dyslexia tutoring can help them succeed and achieve their goals.

When dyslexia is untreated it sometimes leads to the student being frustrated and acting out. The student feels overwhelmed by schoolwork and often uses different methods to avoid it. In addition, they may suffer low self-esteem and feel that they are “dumb”. The student often tries to cope in a variety of ways, by avoiding certain tasks, creating distractions, etcetera.

Definitely! Our online dyslexia tutoring program is available for children, teenagers and adults.

Yes! Private dyslexia tutoring is one of the most effective ways to help a student with dyslexia progress. One-on-one instruction from a knowledgeable, professional tutor can have a dramatic impact on a student’s ability to read, spell, and process language. The amount of time it takes for a student to progress can vary greatly, but that progress is almost always consistent and noticeable. Here at Dyslexia Connect we offer online tutoring with our professional, highly qualified tutors. Check out the information page to see if this option would work well for you.

If you would like to discuss our tutoring program and the different options that we offer, we suggest setting up a free trial. We offer this with no obligation, and it’s the best way to learn about how we can help your child succeed.