Misconception: Dyslexia is caused by not reading enough at home
Explanation: While reading at home is important, failing to do this enough does not "cause" dyslexia. It is a neurological condition caused by differences in how the brain functions.
Misconception: Smart people cannot be dyslexic
Explanation: Many individuals with dyslexia are very intelligent and have the potential to lead very successful lives. In fact, 40% of self-made millionaires are dyslexic, demonstrating a strong correlation between the condition and entrepreneurial success
Misconception: Dyslexia only happens in the English language
Explanation: Dyslexia can occur all over the world in any language.
Misconception: If you don’t teach a dyslexic child to read by age 9, then it’s too late for them to ever learn how to read.
Explanation: There is no "too late" when it comes to improving the reading, writing, and spelling skills of someone with dyslexia.
Misconception: Vision problems cause dyslexia
Explanation: Dyslexia and vision problems have no correlation; people with dyslexia are no more likely to have eye and vision problems than people without it
Misconception: Dyslexia goes away once kids learn to read
Explanation: Dyslexia is a lifelong learning difference that can affect more than just basic reading skills. People with dyslexia may continue to struggle with spelling and writing even once they’ve learned to read.
Misconception: Kids with dyslexia just need to try harder to read
Explanation: Research has confirmed that the brains of kids with dyslexia actually function and learn differently than the brains of kids without it. So, it’s the type of instruction that makes a difference, not how hard kids try.
Misconception: Dyslexia doesn’t show up until elementary school
Explanation: Signs of dyslexia can actually show up even before preschool.
Potential signs that a young child may be at risk of dyslexia include:
Late talking
Learning new words slowly
Problems forming words correctly, such as reversing sounds in words or confusing words that sound alike
Problems remembering or naming letters, numbers and colors
Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or playing rhyming games
Misconception: Reading and writing letters backwards is the main sign of dyslexia
Explanation: While some students with dyslexia reverse letters, this is not the case for all of them. Additionally, many kids who do not have dyslexia make this mistake while first learning to read. It is only around the end of first grade that still reversing letters may signal that your child could benefit from an evaluation.