Dyslexia

What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person's ability to read. These individuals typically read at levels significantly lower than expected despite having normal intelligence. Although the disorder varies from person to person, common characteristics among people with dyslexia are difficulty with phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds) and/or rapid visual-verbal responding.

Is there any treatment?
The main focus of treatment should be on the specific learning problems of affected individuals. The usual course is to modify teaching methods and the educational environment to meet the specific needs of the individual with dyslexia.

What is the prognosis?
For those with dyslexia, the prognosis is mixed. The disability affects such a wide range of people, producing different symptoms and varying degrees of severity, that predictions are hard to make. The prognosis is generally good, however, for individuals whose dyslexia is identified early, who have supportive family and friends and a strong self-image, and who are involved in a proper remediation program.

What research is being done?
The NINDS and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Mental Health, conduct research on dyslexia. Current research avenues focus on developing techniques to diagnose and treat dyslexia and other learning disabilities, increasing the understanding of the biological basis of learning disabilities, and exploring the relationship between neurophysiological processes and cognitive functions with regard to reading ability.

Organizations

• International Dyslexia Association
  8600 LaSalle Road
  Chester Building, Ste. 382
  Baltimore, MD 21286-2044
  info@interdys.org
  http://www.interdys.org
  Tel: 410-296-0232 800-ABCD123
  Fax: 410-321-5069

• Learning Disabilities Association of America
  4156 Library Road
  Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
  ldanatl@usaor.net
  http://www.ldanatl.org
  Tel: 412-341-1515 412-341-8077
  Fax: 412-344-0224

• National Center for Learning Disabilities
  381 Park Avenue South
  Suite 1401
  New York, NY 10016
  http://www.ld.org
  Tel: 212-545-7510 888-575-7373
  Fax: 212-545-9665

• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
  National Institutes of Health
  Bldg. 31, Rm. 2A32
  Bethesda, MD 20892-2425
  NICHDClearinghouse@mail.nih.gov
  http://www.nichd.nih.gov
  Tel: 301-496-5133 800-370-2943

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
  6001 Executive Blvd.
  Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
  Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
  nimhinfo@nih.gov
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov
  Tel: 301-443-4513 TTY: 301-443-8431 Depression Info: 800-421-4211 Anxiety Info: 88-88-ANXIETY (269-4389) Panic Info: 888-64-PANIC (64-72642)
  Fax: 301-443-4279