Dyslexia
Dyslexia
Hi! My name is Emily Rocha, and I am the Dyslexia Specialist at Fagert Elementary. Please read below to learn more about what dyslexia is, strengths of students with dyslexia, and common myths relating to dyslexia.
Dyslexia is a neurobiological condition that causes difficulty in manipulating sounds in spoken words (phonological awareness), remembering and applying phonics skills, reading words in isolation, reading fluency, and/or spelling. These difficulties are unexpected due to the student’s strengths in understanding spoken text, math/logic skills, and an overall average or above average intelligence.
Although having dyslexia can make reading and spelling more taxing, there are many areas in which students with dyslexia often show above-average abilities.
Common Myths about Dyslexia
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Dyslexia is not common or doesn’t exist.
Truth: Approximately 15% of the US population has dyslexia.
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People with Dyslexia aren’t intelligent.
Truth: Dyslexia impacts individuals with a range of intelligence from average to superior.
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Individuals with Dyslexia just need to try harder.
Truth: Dyslexia is a neurological condition caused by different wiring in the brain and often associated with language.
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Dyslexia is more common among boys than girls.
Truth: Dyslexia impacts girls as frequently as boys. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed due to behavioral tendencies. Girls are more likely to go undiagnosed unitl later in their development.
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All individuals with Dyslexia demonstrate the same problems with reading.
Truth: Dyslexia exists on a continuum, and students with dyslexia demonstrate different levels in learning to read.
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Reading and writing letters backwards is the main sign of dyslexia.
Truth: Some students with dyslexia write letters backward and some don’t, Young children commonly write letters backwards until the end of 1st grade.
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Dyslexia doesn’t show up until elementary school.
Truth: Signs of dyslexia, like difficulty rhyming or being a “late talker” can show up in preschool or even earlier.
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There are quick and easy ways to cure Dyslexia.
Truth: Good intervention makes a huge difference, but there is no “cure.” Dyslexia is a lifelong condition, often impacting more than just basic reading skills.