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Dyslexia Myths
In 1994, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released the results of their 14-year longitudinal study and specific research projects. The research projects have been independently replicated, have yielded the same results, and the results from those 18 university-based research centers have now been replicated by dyslexia researchers around the world. Yet most people are unaware of these results. So as a parent or advocate, you will encounter the following myths frequently. Please keep in mind this information is mainly being used by permission from Bright Solutions:
Myth:
Dyslexic children see letters and words backward, and reversals (writing letters and words backward) are an invariable sign.
Truth:
While it is true that dyslexic children have difficulties attaching the appropriate labels or names to letters and words, there is no evidence that they actually see letters and words backward.
Myth:
Mirror writing is a symptom of dyslexia.
Truth:
In fact, backwards writing and reversals of letters and words are common in the early stages of writing development among dyslexic and nondyslexic children alike. Because these beliefs about dyslexia are so prevalent, many dyslexic children who do not make reversals are often undiagnosed.
Myth:
Four times more boys than girls have dyslexia.
Truth:
Boys’ reading disabilities are indeed identified more often than girls’, but studies indicate that such identification is biased. The actual prevalence of the disorder is nearly identical in the two sexes.
Myth:
Dyslexia can be outgrown.
Truth:
Yearly monitoring of phonological skills from first through twelfth grade shows that the disability persists into adulthood. Even though many dyslexics learn to read accurately, they continue to read slowly and not automatically.
Myth:
Dyslexia does not exist.
Truth:
Dyslexia is one of the most researched and documented conditions that will impact children. Over 30 years of independent, scientific, replicated, published research exists on dyslexia -- much of it done through the National Institutes of Health in the USA, funded by US taxpayer dollars.
Myth:
Dyslexia is a "catch all" term.
Truth:
That was true back in the 1960's and 1970's before the research existed. But we now have a research-based definition of dyslexia.
Myth:
Intelligence and ability to read are related. So if someone doesn't read well, they can't be very smart. Or: Gifted children cannot be dyslexic or have a learning disability.
Truth:
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. (See ‘famous dyslexics’).
Myth:
People with dyslexia cannot read.
Truth:
Everyone with dyslexia can read -- up to a point. But they will "hit the wall" in reading development by third grade, if not sooner.
Myth:
People with dyslexia see things backwards.
Truth:
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:
Dyslexia is rare.
Truth:
According to the NIH researchers, in Canada and the United States, dyslexia impacts 20% of the population. That's 1 out of every 5 people. Dyslexia comes 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). 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:
There is no way to diagnose dyslexia.
Truth:
Professionals with in-depth training can accurately diagnose dyslexia as early as age 5.
Myth:
Dyslexia is a medical diagnosis.
Truth:
Doctors do not test for dyslexia. Dyslexia is not classified as a medical problem. Doctors have no training in how to test for reading, spelling, and writing problems. And there is no medical solution (no pill or operation) for those types of academic struggles. That is also why medical insurance does not cover anything having to do with dyslexia. Dyslexia is not classified as a medical issue.
Myth:
Dyslexia cannot be diagnosed until third grade.
Truth:
Professionals with in-depth training, like myself, can accurately diagnose dyslexia as early as age 5.
Myth:
Most children outgrow early reading and spelling problems. It is just a developmental delay.
Truth:
Independent, scientific, replicated research on reading development shows just the opposite. It shows that if a child is struggling with reading, writing, and spelling in mid-first grade, that child has better than 90% odds of still struggling with those skills in eighth grade and on into adulthood if someone doesn't step in and do something. That means less than 10% of the time will a child outgrow those struggles. That also means waiting is the worst thing you can do. The child is only going to get further and further behind.
Myth:
Children outgrow dyslexia.
Truth:
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:
Dyslexia is caused by a lack of phonics instruction.
Truth:
That is not true. Phonics is not the answer for a child with dyslexia. The teacher can use the best phonics program in the world, but it will not prevent a child with dyslexia from "hitting the wall" by third grade. Most parents already know that phonics does not help. Most parents have already tried Hooked on Phonics -- and it did not improve their child's reading or spelling. Children with dyslexia can learn phonics. They just can't apply it. That's why a classic warning sign of dyslexia is a child who can not sound out an unknown word -- despite being taught phonics.
Myth:
Any child who reverses letters or numbers has dyslexia.
Truth:
Most children will reverse some of their letters and some of their numbers while they are learning. Up to a certain point, that is considered perfectly normal. But those reversals should be gone after two years of handwriting instruction and practice. Letter or number reversals that continue after two years of handwriting and practice are a classic warning sign of dyslexia. If a child truly has dyslexia, however, the child will have many of the other classic warning signs of dyslexia.
Myth:
Dyslexic children will never read well, so it is best to teach them to compensate.
Truth:
People with dyslexia can become excellent readers, decent spellers, and good writers if they receive the right type of intervention or tutoring. Independent, scientific, replicated research recommends an Orton-Gillingham based system as the most effective way to improve the reading, writing, and spelling skills of people with dyslexia. That's why the International Dyslexia Association publishes two Fact Sheets on Orton-Gillingham. There are seven well-known Orton-Gillingham based systems. The Barton Reading & Spelling System is one of the best.
Myth:
If you don't teach a dyslexic child to read by age 9, it is too late.
Truth:
It is never too late to greatly improve the reading, spelling, and writing skills of someone with dyslexia.
Myth:
Children with dyslexia are just lazy. If only they tried harder...
Truth:
If students with dyslexia do not receive the right type of tutoring and classroom accommodations, they often struggle in school -- despite being bright, motivated, and spending hours on homework assignments.