What is dyslexia?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and leads to challenges in word recognition, spelling, and reading fluency; it does not indicate a lack of intelligence. It often coexists with other learning disabilities and language difficulties, such as dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD.

    Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that affects reading. Individuals with dyslexia may have difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, spelling, subvocalizing words, or reading aloud. It is important to note that dyslexia does not point to a lack of intelligence, cognitive impairment, or motivation, and most people affected have average or above-average intelligence, despite reading at lower-than-expected levels.[1][2][3]

    Dyslexia can occur alone, but it frequently overlaps with other learning disabilities or language difficulties, such as reading comprehension problems, specific language impairments (SLI), handwriting difficulties (dysgraphia), math learning difficulties (dyscalculia), developmental coordination disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).[4][5][6]