Imagine a world where reading feels like you're deciphering a secret code. Where letters and words seem crowded together, distorted or reversed. Where it isn't easy to sound out words or keep track of words on a page. This is the world of dyslexia.
Whether you're a teacher with students who have reading challenges, or a student yourself, knowing the signs of different dyslexia types can help you identify resources to manage these challenges.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning disability where someone has difficulty connecting speech sounds to letters and words. This results in spelling and word recognition issues, leading to overall reading comprehension challenges.
This video from the Queensland Department of Education explores the definition of dyslexia through examples of common challenges people with dyslexia may face.
There are 5 subcategories of dyslexia:
phonological dyslexia
rapid naming dyslexia
surface dyslexia
visual dyslexia
acquired dyslexia
Each type varies, depending on the symptoms someone has.
1. Phonological Dyslexia
This is when someone has difficulty with phonemic awareness (the ability to name and change sounds in words).
Possible Symptoms
Difficulty learning letter sounds
Difficulty spelling words correctly
Trouble with blending sounds to make words
Slow reading speed
Avoids reading
Inability to sound out words
2. Rapid Naming Dyslexia
This may describe someone who struggles with naming letters and identifying numbers and colors quickly.
Possible Symptoms
Difficulty naming words by sight
Slow to complete writing assignments
Slower reading pace
Quiz
Emma loves listening to stories but shies away from reading. She reads slowly and doesn't always remember the sounds letters make. She is a wonderful illustrator but often misspells words. Given these challenges, she may have:
3. Surface Dyslexia
This happens when someone can sound out new words but has difficulty recognizing high-frequency words (i.e. from, said, the, etc.) and words that aren't spelled how they sound (i.e. yacht, through, etc.).
Possible Symptoms
Poor spelling
Slow reading speed
Difficulty reading words by sight
4. Visual Dyslexia
This is similar to surface dyslexia in that people may not easily recall what they've seen on a page. This breakdown relates to visual processing, as their eyes don't seem to fully understand what was seen.
Possible Symptoms
Difficulty tracking across a line
Eyestrain headaches
Blurred/unfocused vision
Trouble with reading comprehension
5. Acquired Dyslexia
This type of dyslexia is caused by trauma to the brain and impacts the language processing center. The symptoms of acquired dyslexia are similar to the ones shared above. However, it's the only type with a known cause.
Resources
Dyslexia is a broad topic and the research out there can be overwhelming. Don't worry though! If you're looking for next steps, these suggestions can help get you started:
For Students:
Speak with your teacher or school counselor to see if they observe any dyslexia-related symptoms in your assignments or classroom performance.
You may consider obtaining an evaluation yourself to see if you qualify for special education services or special accommodations.
Visit Reading Rockets for more details about dyslexia assessments and evaluations.
For Teachers:
Speak with your students' parents or guardians to share your concerns; encourage them to request an evaluation.
Share your concerns with Special Education professionals at your school and ask for guidance and support in assessing and addressing students' needs.
Differentiate your instruction to include multisensory teaching methods, additional assignment time, or small group support.
Encourage your student to share their needs with you. Ask what they struggle with most so that you can provide specific support.
Learn about how to support students with dyslexia in your classroom by visiting the teacher resources page at The Yale Center.
Learn about supporting neurodiverse students by checking out the Byte How do I support neurodiversity in my classroom as a teacher?
Quiz
You're concerned that your student may have dyslexia. What should you do? Select all that apply.
Take Action
If you suspect you are experiencing symptoms of dyslexia:
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