Everything You Wanted to Know about Dyslexia (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Odds are, you know someone with dyslexia. It's estimated that 1 in 5 people have some form of the condition characterized by difficulty with reading, writing, and spelling. I'm here to set the record straight about some of the most common myths and misconceptions about dyslexia.

Myth #1: Dyslexia is a problem with reversing letters and numbers.

This is perhaps the most iconic symptom of dyslexia, but it's quite rare. Only about 25% of people with dyslexia experience this type of difficulty. For most people with dyslexia, the issue is not reversing letters and numbers but rather understanding what they see when they look at a word on a page.

Myth #2: Dyslexia only affects people who have difficulty reading. 

While reading is certainly a challenge for many people with dyslexia, the condition can also affect other areas of language skills, including writing and speaking. Many people with dyslexia have difficulty with phonemic awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words), working memory, and processing speed. 

Myth #3: People with dyslexia are just lazy or stupid. 

Nothing could be further from the truth! People with dyslexia are often highly intelligent and creative individuals who process information differently than others. Some well-known people with dyslexia include Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and Steven Spielberg. 

Myth #4: Nothing can be done to help people with dyslexia. 

While there is no cure for dyslexia, a lot can be done to help people manage the condition and succeed in both school and work. Many people with dyslexia benefit from specialized tutoring or

accommodations such as extra time for tests or using a computer instead of writing by hand. With the proper support, people with dyslexia can achieve great things!