What Teachers Should Know Dyslexia is a learning disability that makes it hard to learn to read and understand written language. Even students with average or above-average intelligence can have dyslexia. A common assumption about dyslexia is that letters or words seem reversed, like the word "was" appearing like "saw." This can be a part of dyslexia, but reversals are very common among kids up until first or second grade. The major problems for students with dyslexia are phonemic awareness, phonics, and rapid word recognition. Dyslexia is not a visual problem. Dyslexia happens because of subtle problems in information processing, especially in the language regions of the brain. Dyslexia often runs in families. A reading specialist or psychologist can diagnose dyslexia through a comprehensive evaluation. A child with dyslexia may have trouble: learning to talk pronouncing longer words rhyming learning the alphabet, days of the week, colors, shapes, and numbers learning to identify syllables (cow/boy in cowboy) and phonemes (b, a, t in bat) sounding out simple words reading and spelling words with the correct letter sequence ("top" vs. "pot") learning to read and write his or her name with handwriting and other fine-motor coordination Students with dyslexia may need: specialized instruction and special arrangements for tests extra time for tests, homework, and taking notes in class What Teachers Can Do Students with dyslexia may avoid reading because it can be stressful and tiring. As a result, they can end up missing valuable reading practice and fall behind their classmates. This can hurt their self-esteem. Recognizing and appreciating their strengths — in math, sports, drama, art, creative problem solving, etc. — can provide critical emotional support. Other helpful strategies for students with dyslexia are: providing extra time to practice reading connecting them with trained tutors giving reading assignments in audio formats offering customized learning aids and computer software With the proper assistance, most students with dyslexia can learn to read and develop strategies that allow them to stay in regular classrooms. Back to Articles Related Articles Word! Dyslexia Wha tifev eryth inglo ooked lik ethis whe nyo utrie dtoread? Read More Kids With Special Needs Lots of kids have special needs. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Dyslexia Dyslexia is a problem that makes it difficult for a kid to read. With some help and a lot of hard work, a kid who has dyslexia can learn to read and spell. Read More Understanding Dyslexia Dyslexia is a learning disability in which people have difficulty learning to read, even though they are smart enough and are motivated to learn. Learn more about dyslexia and how to deal with it. Read More Understanding Dyslexia Dyslexia is a learning disability that makes it hard to learn to read and understand written language. Even kids with average or above-average intelligence can have dyslexia. Read More Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) Some kids may be eligible for individualized education programs in public schools, free of charge. Understanding how to access these services can help you be an effective advocate for your child. Read More 504 Education Plans If your child has special needs in the classroom, he or she may be eligible for a government-supported learning plan. Read More Learning Problems Having a learning disability doesn't mean you can't learn. The trick will be figuring out how you learn best. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.