Myth: Dyslexia does not exist

            Fact: Dyslexia is one of the most researched and documented conditions that will impact children. More information on this                                      research can be found at www.dys-add.com.

 

Myth: Dyslexia is rare

 

            Fact: According to the NIH researchers, in the United States, dyslexia impacts 20% of our population. That's 1 out of every 5 people.

                     But it does come in degrees. Some have it only mildly, some have it moderately, some have it severely, and some have it                                   profoundly.

                     Very few children with dyslexia are in the special education system. Only 1 in 10 will be eligible for an IEP (when tested in                                 second or third grade) under the category of Learning Disability (LD).

                     That means 9 out of 10 “fall through the cracks.” Although the parents and the teacher know there's something different about                         the child, the child does not qualify for special education services, and most will no longer get help from the reading specialist                         after first or second grade.

                     Dyslexia is not rare. It is the most common reason a child will struggle first with spelling, then with written expression, and                           eventually “hit the wall” in reading development by third grade.

 

Myth: People with dyslexia see things backwards
 

            Fact: People with dyslexia do not see things backwards. They see things the same way you and I do.

                     Dyslexia is not caused by a vision problem. That is why vision therapy does not work for this population. There is nothing                                 wrong with their eyes.

                     Yes, they reverse their b's and their d's and say “was” for “saw.” But that's caused by their lifelong confusion over left versus                               right and by their difficulty reading by sounding out.

 

Myth: Children outgrow dyslexia

 

            Fact:  Dyslexia is a lifelong issue. That means waiting—due to a false hope that it will disappear as the child gets older—is the worst                         thing  you can do.
                       It will not go away. The child will only get further and further behind—unless that child gets the right type of intervention or                           tutoring.
                       All the experts agree: Waiting is the worst thing you can do.
                       There are effective research-based methods that will bring their reading, spelling, and writing skills up to—and beyond—                                 grade level.
                       Although it is never too late to greatly improve their skills, early intervention is the best way to prevent or minimize the                                     damage to their self-esteem, their emotional distress, and their fear of going to school.

 

Myth: There is no way to diagnose dyslexia
 

            Fact:  Professionals with in-depth training can accurately diagnose dyslexia as early as age 5.

 

Myth: If you don't teach a child to read by age 9, it is too late.
 

            Fact: It is never ever too late to greatly improve the reading, spelling, and writing skills of someone with dyslexia.

 

Myth: Intelligence and ability to read are related. So if someone doesn't read well, they can't be very smart.  Related Myth: Gifted children cannot be dyslexic or have a learning disability.
 

            Fact: Dyslexia is not related to IQ. That means you can have a very high IQ and be dyslexic, you can have an average IQ and be                                   dyslexic, and you can have low IQ and be dyslexic. Many people with dyslexia are very bright and accomplish amazing things                           as adults. Visit the following link to see famous individuals with dyslexia: www.dydadd.com/dyslexia.html#anchorFamousLists

 

Myth: People with dyslexia cannot read

 

            Fact: Everyone with dyslexia can read—up to a point. But they will “hit the wall” in reading development by third grade, if not                                   sooner.  When reading, they have great difficulty sounding out an unknown word—despite being taught phonics. They will                               often read a word fine on one page, but not recognize the very same word on the next page.

 

Myth: Retaining a child will improve their academic struggles

 

            Fact: Retention is a failed educational policy. It has never improved academic struggles.

 

Information found on this page was taken in part from the website Bright Solutions for Dyslexia, www.dys-add.com.

Please visit them for more information on dyslexia.