“Dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties in word reading and/or spelling that involve accuracy, speed, or both and vary depending on the orthography. These difficulties occur along a continuum of severity and persist even with instruction that is effective for the individual’s peers. The causes of dyslexia are complex and involve combinations of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental influences that interact throughout development. Underlying difficulties with phonological and morphological processing are common but not universal, and early oral language weaknesses often foreshadow literacy challenges. Secondary consequences include reading comprehension problems and reduced reading and writing experience that can impede growth in language, knowledge, written expression, and overall academic achievement. Psychological well-being and employment opportunities also may be affected. Although identification and targeted instruction are important at any age, language and literacy support before and during the early years of education is particularly effective.”

Adopted by the IDA Board of Directors, 2025.

International Dyslexia Organization:  https://dyslexiaida.org/

Dyslexia is a neurological condition caused by a different wiring of the brain. There is no cure for dyslexia and individuals with this condition must learn coping strategies. Research indicates that dyslexia has no relationship to intelligence. Individuals with dyslexia are neither more nor less intelligent than the general population. But some say the way individuals with dyslexia think can actually be an asset in achieving success.

In public school settings where many teachers are not knowledgeable about this condition, students with dyslexia may be considered stupid or lazy. Parents who have children diagnosed with dyslexia should seek out reading instruction that is based upon a systematic and explicit understanding of language structure, including phonics. This reading instruction goes by many names, Structured Literacy, Orton- Gillingham, Simultaneous Multisensory, Explicit Phonics, and others (See IDA’s fact sheet Effective Reading Instructionn). If you think you or your child may be dyslexic, you can take IDA’s test which will evaluate the chance that you have this condition.

Nebraska Dyslexia Association:    https://nebraskadyslexia.org/ 

NDA is committed to helping those who struggle to learn to read and write, and especially those who have characteristics of dyslexia.

Nebraska Dyslexia Guide -  www.education.ne.gov/ela/dyslexia-guide/   Published by the Nebraska Department of Education.

Dyslexico - https://dyslexi.co/   Dyslexico is a spellcheck and autocorrect solution optimized for dyslexics that provides higher success for dyslexic grammatical patterns, as well as an experience uniquely designed to help teach dyslexics to improve their writing skills as they correct.

Really Great Reading Dyslexia Resouces:  https://www.reallygreatreading.com/dyslexia_resources 

AD/HD and Dyslexia:   https://dyslexiaida.org/attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-adhd-and-dyslexia/

Dyslexia - Stress - Anxiety Connection:   https://dyslexiaida.org/the-dyslexia-stress-anxiety-connection/

Oral Language Impairments and Dyslexia:   https://dyslexiaida.org/oral-language-impairments-and-dyslexia/

The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity:  https://dyslexia.yale.edu/

Dyslexia Help: University of Michigan:  http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/

Books to Read:

Conquering Dyslexia:  A Guide to Early Detection and Intervention for Teachers and Parents  by Jan Hasbrouck (2020)

Overcoming Dyslexia (2nd Edition): by Johnathan Shaywitz and Sally Shaywitz (2020)

The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain by Brock Eide and Fernette Eide (2011)