What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a neurological condition that is understood to be genetic in origin. It is extremely common: estimates vary depending on the research you look at, but it’s estimated that up to 20 percent of the U.S. population has dyslexia.

People with dyslexia have difficulties with word recognition, spelling, and decoding; as a result, they typically struggle with learning how to read and write. As the DSM-5 puts it, “a person who is dyslexic must read with great effort and not in the same manner as those who are typical readers.”

To learn about the signs of dyslexia and potential interventions, check out our article Dyslexia 101.