• Myths About  Dyslexia:

     

     
    Myth:      Dyslexia is associated with low intelligence and low cognitive ability.

    Truth:  There is no correlation between dyslexia, a brain-based heritable learning disorder, and intelligence.  In fact, there are many adults who have above average intellectual abilities and talents that enable them to compensate for weak reading skills
     

     
    Myth:      Dyslexia is a visual disorder marked by reversal of letters.

    Truth:  While some dyslexics transpose letters, dyslexia is a language processing disorder which includes difficulty associating particular sounds or phonemes with particular letters or symbols.
      

       
    Myth:      Dyslexia is a childhood disorder, however most individuals outgrow the symptoms of dyslexia.

    Truth:  Dyslexia is a life-long disorder marked by difficulties with word decoding and reading speed.  Adult symptoms of dyslexia often include slow reading, spelling difficulties, mispronunciations, imprecise language, and challenges in reading comprehension.
      

      
    Myth:      Dyslexia is an untreatable learning disorder.  

    Truth:  There are successful treatments for dyslexia.  Recent neuro-imaging studies have shown improvement in brain function and reading skills following science-based intervention.  Academic and workplace accommodations promote full participation and help for individuals with dyslexia. Strengths emerge as these individuals are provided with reasonable accommodations.
      

    Myth:  People who have dyslexia are unable to read.
    Truth:  Most commonly, dyslexic  children and adults do learn to read; the problem is the effort required to read.  Typical readers of the same ability level early on become "fluent" readers so that reading is automatic, fast, and enjoyable.  In contrast, dyslexic children remain "manual" readers who read slowly and with great effort without intervention.