Dyslexia FAQs

What is dyslexia?

The primary symptoms or characteristics of dyslexia are:

• • difficulty learning the letter names and sounds

  • difficulty reading single words, such as words on flashcards or in a list

  • lack of reading fluency

  • reading slowly with many mistakes

  • difficulty with learning to spell

In addition, students may have:

• • difficulty understanding what they read

  • difficulty writing sentences or paragraphs

How common is dyslexia?

• • 15-20% of the general population has a language-based learning disability.

  • 70-80% of the students with specific learning disabilities receiving special education services have deficits in reading.

  • Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading, writing, and spelling difficulties.

What causes dyslexia?

• • a difference in the way the brain works

For example: Recognizing individual speech sounds in words

• • learning how letters represent those sounds

  • remembering sounds in the correct order

  • the ability to quickly say letter names, object names, and name common words

Dyslexia is NOT:

• • not a lack of intelligence.

  • not a lack of motivation to learn to read.

  • not seeing letters and words backward.

  • not letters/words jumping around on a page. 

Where can I find more information about dyslexia specific to the state of Texas? 

• • TEA Dyslexia and Related Disorders

  • The Dyslexia Handbook, Revised 2021

What do I do if I think my child is dyslexic? 

• • Contact your campus counselor.