Dyslexia Defined

“Dyslexia is an island of weakness in a sea of strengths”

Overcoming Dyslexia, p58; Sally Shaywitz, 2003

 

 

Working Definition of Dyslexia from IDA: International Dyslexia Association. Perspectives Winter, 2003 (Vol. 29, No.1)

Replaces 1994 IDA definition in the Dyslexia Handbook.

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

 

 

The Clinical Characteristics of Dyslexia

 

Underlying Deficit

Phonological Processing (noticing, thinking about, and manipulating individual speech sounds)

Primary Characteristics

Inaccurate and inefficient single word recognition

Difficulty sounding out (decoding) new or unfamiliar words

Inaccurate spelling

Secondary Characteristics

Slow and inaccurate oral reading of text

Poor reading comprehension

Variable difficulties with symbol code for reading and

writing including:

Alphabet letter names

Letter-sound associations

Letter forms and direction in writing

Variable difficulty with written expression

Other Language-Based Disorders

Difficulty finding the right spoken word or rapidly retrieving names

Difficulty repeating and pronouncing words precisely

Difficulty with verbal short term memory

Co-existing Complications or Assets

Oral Language                        Attention

Motor Coordination                 Visual-Spatial

Reasoning                              Mathematics