Literacy and Language

Dyslexia & Other Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities (LDs) are brain-based difficulties that affect one or more ways that a person takes in, stores, remembers or uses verbal (speech) and nonverbal (non-speech) information. LDs are difficulties in processing information and occur in people with average or above average thinking and reasoning abilities. They are different from intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities or neurological or motor disabilities. LDs are not caused by environmental factors such as language differences or socio-economic status, but those factors may compound the impact of an LD. LDs can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing, and math. They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time management and social communication skills.  

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) defines dyslexia as: 

 “a  specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.” These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.” (from the IDA Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know https://www.idaontario.com/basic-information/) 

If you or your child has dyslexia, early identification and the use of evidence-based interventions, such as Structured Literacy instruction, can help you to further develop your reading and spelling skills. Without adequate support, dyslexics may have frustration, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression. This does not have to be. Recognizing the unique strengths of individuals with dyslexia as well as the challenges they face living in a literacy-based world allows all of us to create a supportive environment where everyone is able to thrive. 

Other learning disabilities include: 

• Dysgraphia – A disorder of written expression that can include spelling and handwriting and involves a lack of automaticity at the level of the brain. 
• Dyscalculia – A math-based learning disability that impairs your ability to learn number-related concepts, perform correct math calculations, reason and problem solve as well as other basic math skills. 
• Non-verbal Learning Disorder – A cluster of difficulties that are mainly in non-language areas. You may have a strong ability to understand language and may acquire reading skills as expected but have difficulty “reading to learn” as well as persistent math problems, difficulties with motor planning, perceptual reasoning challenges and reduced verbal prosody. 

While Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not currently considered a LD, it is a neurobiological disorder that involves difficulty regulating attention and focus. ADHD often co-occurs with LDs. Difficulty regulating attention can look like: 

• Difficulty staying focused, especially for tasks that are less interesting 
• Being over-focused and having difficulty breaking focus when things are interesting or stimulating 
• Challenges switching focus especially when over-focusing 
• Difficulty prioritizing focus when the most important thing is not the most interesting thing  

At Beyond Words, we know that those with LDs as well as ADHD have unique strengths. When recognized and valued, not only can those strengths help to support areas of need, but also allow these individuals to interact with the world in innovative and necessary ways. 

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