What Is Dyslexia? Signs, Types, Strengths, and Effective Strategies for Dyslexia Support
- Kaitlyn Boudreault
- Aug 28, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 21
Words shape your inner thoughts, emotions, and experience, playing a crucial role in your reading, writing, and spelling abilities.
But when reading or writing feels challenging, it can impact academic or work performance and self-confidence. Difficulties with reading, writing, or spelling may indicate the presence of dyslexia, a common neurodivergent learning difference that affects language processing.
Dyslexia traits may include difficulty spelling simple words, confusing letters with similar shapes, and struggling to sound out new words. While these challenges may impact academic or work performance, many individuals with dyslexia also possess unique strengths.
Fortunately, effective dyslexia support is available. Specialized dyslexia coaching internationally and neurodiversity-affirming therapy in Ontario, Canada, can help you develop personalized strategies to manage challenges and build confidence.
In this blog, we explore what dyslexia is, common signs across ages, different types, strengths often found in dyslexic individuals, and practical strategies to thrive.
What Is Dyslexia? Definition and Overview
The term dyslexia derives from two parts: ‘dys,’ meaning difficult, and ‘lexia’ referring to words, reading, or language. In essence, dyslexia is a learning and reading difference that involves challenges with processing verbal and written information.
Dyslexia may lead to challenges with reading comprehension, math, spelling, and writing. As a result, you may face challenges processing reading assignments, solving math problems, or writing without errors. This can impact work or academics.
Current estimates indicate that about 750,000 school-aged children and around 5 million adults in Canada have dyslexia.
Quick Fact: Dyslexia affects roughly 10-20% of people worldwide, making it one of the most common learning differences.
As a neurodivergent identity, dyslexia results from differences in your brain's language processing areas, influencing how you perceive and engage with the world to interpret language.
Want to learn more? Watch "What Is Dyslexia?" below.
Contrary to common misconceptions about dyslexia, it is not reflective of intelligence, effort, hearing, or vision. Importantly, people don’t outgrow dyslexia. Yet, with appropriate accommodations, strategies, and support, dyslexic individuals can thrive.
Reflection Prompt: How might recognizing your brain’s unique processing style change the way you approach reading or writing tasks?
Signs of Dyslexia in Children, Teens, and Adults
Since dyslexia is a form of neurodivergence, its signs can vary widely among individuals. A primary indicator of dyslexia is difficulty decoding words, where you may find it challenging to link letters to the sounds you hear. While some dyslexic individuals may decode words easily, they may still have trouble with comprehension.
Dyslexia doesn’t look the same for everyone, and there is a lot more than what meets the surface. Knowing the typical signs across different ages can help you identify challenges early and access support.
Preschool and Pre-kindergarten Signs of Dyslexia
Common signs that may indicate dyslexia before a child reaches school age include: [Click to expand]
Slower acquisition of new words compared to peers.
Speaking the first word later than usual.
Confusing words that sound similar.
Struggling to form and pronounce words
Difficulty remembering or naming letters, numbers, or colours.
School-Age Signs of Dyslexia
As children progress into school, their teachers may be the first to notice dyslexia.
Some common signs observed in school-aged children include [Click to expand]:
Reading significantly below their developmental age.
Difficulty processing or comprehending spoken language.
Challenges formulating answers to questions
Problems recalling the sequence of words in a sentence
Poor spelling and grammar
Confusing or omitting words while reading aloud.
Struggling to pronounce words, even after sounding them out.
Substituting incorrect words
At this stage, dyslexia may also manifest emotional traits, such as anxiety before reading aloud or a reluctance to engage in reading.
Want to learn more? Watch "Dyslexia in Schools" to learn from student experiences with dyslexia in the school system.
Teen and Adult Signs of Dyslexia
Signs of dyslexia may persist into teenage and adult years, and in some cases, individuals are not diagnosed until later in life.
Common signs for teens and adults include [Click to Expand]:
Difficulty reading or spelling.
Anxiety and frustration are associated with reading out loud
Omitting parts of longer words during oral reading.
Struggling with reading or writing fluency.
Trouble remembering common abbreviations.
Challenges with grammar.
Mispronouncing names or words.
Spending excessive time on reading and writing tasks
Difficulty summarizing what they have read.
Reluctance to read
It’s essential to recognize that dyslexia varies in severity, and individuals may display a combination of signs at different intensity levels. If you relate to these experiences, seeking dyslexia support may help you better understand your situation.
Causes of Dyslexia: Genetics, Brain Differences, and Environment
Researchers have yet to pinpoint a definitive cause of dyslexia, but they believe genetics and environmental factors play a role.
Twin studies suggest that genetics accounts for up to 70 percent of the likelihood of dyslexia. Therefore, while some cases of dyslexia arise from environmental influences, genetic predisposition is significant.
The potential causes of dyslexia include:
Genetic Factors: Dyslexia is linked to specific genes affecting how the brain processes language and reading. These traits often run in families. Research indicates that about 40% of siblings of dyslexic individuals also have reading difficulties.
Brain Differences: Brain imaging studies indicate structural differences in the brains of dyslexic individuals compared to those without.
Environmental Factors: Certain socioeconomic factors can affect the likelihood of an individual being dyslexic. Factors that may increase risk include:
Low socioeconomic status
Quick Fact: Dyslexia is influenced by both nature and nurture; genetics plays a strong role, but environmental factors can also impact reading development. Further research is needed to identify any additional factors that may contribute to dyslexia.
Dyslexia presents differently based on its type. Commonly characterized as 'dysphonetic' and 'dyseidetic,' these present with distinct trait patterns.
Dysphonetic Dyslexia: Struggles with processing speech sounds. Individuals have difficulty sounding words out. It primarily impacts phonics and your spelling. Errors in spelling reflect difficulties in matching sounds to individual letters.
Dyseidetic Dyslexia: Individuals have a good grasp of phonics but struggle to recognize whole words. Individuals may find understanding written words difficult. This impacts reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition, including the comprehension of spoken language or the expansion of vocabulary.
Co-Occurring Conditions: ADHD, Anxiety, and Neurodivergence
Dyslexia frequently coexists with other conditions, contributing to its diverse manifestations. Common co-occurring conditions include:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): According to the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), about 30% of dyslexic individuals are also diagnosed with ADHD. The traits of ADHD, such as inattention or impulsivity, can exacerbate dyslexia challenges. Related: Steps to Take for an Adult ADHD Diagnosis
Other Conditions and Identities: Dyslexic individuals may also experience anxiety, autism, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, speech disorders, and language disabilities. Neurodivergent individuals are also often more likely to identify as LGBTQ+ or neuroqueer.
Effective Dyslexia Strategies and Support
These strategies focus on leveraging your strengths and accommodating your challenges.
Consult a Disability Consultant or Tutor: These professionals can provide tailored strategies to accommodate neurodivergent challenges and disabilities.
Use Visual Diagrams: Visual aids that minimize text can help convey large amounts of information in a way that is easier to digest.
Incorporate Technology Tools: Using tools like speech-to-text software or text-to-speech applications (e.g., Grammarly or Read&Write) can support writing and reading tasks by turning spoken language into text or reading text aloud, respectively.
Color-Code Information: Differentiate between ideas, categories, or types of content.
Utilize Audiobooks: Reduce reading demands/support learning for auditory learners.
Use Dyslexic-Friendly Fonts: Roboto, Open Sans, Arial, Verdana, and Calibri typically feature bolder letters and increased space between words.
Chunk Information: Grouping related pieces of information into smaller, digestible chunks can reduce cognitive load and make content easier to understand.
Peer Support or Study Groups: Provide additional perspectives, help with motivation, and reduce isolation.
How Dyslexia Coaching and Therapy Can Help
Addressing dyslexia requires a personalized approach, as different individuals benefit from different strategies and support systems. A multimodal approach, which incorporates multiple different strategies, is typically the most effective method.
This might encompass dyslexia coaching and neurodiversity-affirming dyslexia therapy.
Dyslexia Coaching: Similar to ADHD coaching, in that it helps individuals live more productive lives. Coaching helps to build self-awareness, confidence, and practical strategies for school, work, or home.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Dyslexia Therapy: Validates dyslexic identity rather than attempting to cure or fix it. Therapists work collaboratively with you to identify your challenges and focus on strengths, accommodations, and skill development.
Strengths and Unique Skills Often Found in Dyslexic Individuals
Great Problem-Solving Skills: Dyslexics often think creatively to navigate their learning differences. This ability frequently extends to other areas of life.
Strong Visual Observation: Many dyslexic individuals succeed by using visual aids, which enhances their capacity to notice errors in visual information.
High Empathy Levels: With difficulties in reading, dyslexics may have a better ability to recognize body cues and understand a situation better. This may give them the ability to tune into others' emotions.
Strong Narrative Memory: You may excel at remembering events by creating stories in your mind. Made By Dyslexia reported that 84% of dyslexics demonstrate above-average reasoning skills.
Book a Free Consultation for Dyslexia Support
Are you or your child exhibiting signs of dyslexia? Are you seeking coaching or therapy for support?
Consider booking a free 20-minute consultation with a member of the Blue Sky Learning team by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca or following the link below.
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