“Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological 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 growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”
Mississippi Department of Education’s definition adopted from the International Dyslexia Association’s definition
Dyslexia is not...
Outgrown
Seeing letters backward
Very rare
Diagnosed with a single test
A medical problem, which only a doctor can diagnose
Only identified in 3rd grade at the earliest
A general, catch-all term
A recently discovered diagnosis
An excuse for a student unable to learn phonics
Caused by poor teaching methods
Due to laziness
Caused by brain damage
A SPED issue
Adopted from the 2010 Dyslexia Handbook, Mississippi Department of Education