With more and more advancements and awareness of learning difficulties, dyslexia is better understood than it ever has been. Unfortunately, though, because the Internet is a platform whereby anyone can write anything, there are still many myths and misconceptions regarding this learning difficulty and what it means if someone has dyslexia. Therefore, to help you get a better understanding, we have decided to take a look at some of the common misconceptions about dyslexia.
- Dyslexia is a condition that can be cured – This is a myth that we see a lot! Dyslexia cannot be cured, as it is not a medical condition. Rather than being a medical condition, it is a learning challenge, which involves difficulty processing, and it impacts people over their lifespan. However, if someone has dyslexia, detecting it early can mean that it is a lot easier to deal with. The correct education and instruction are required once a child has been diagnosed with this learning difficulty. There are lots of great tutoring programs for children with dyslexia.
- Dyslexia is an indication of intelligence that is below-average – There is no link whatsoever between intelligence and dyslexia. Children who have dyslexia display a broad range of IQ levels, and they are just as likely to be above average intelligence levels or below average intelligence levels as any other person. Dyslexia is identified when a child performs considerably beneath what is expected of their IQ level in writing or reading. The effects of dyslexia can be mitigated with early identification, assessment, and intervention. Children that have this condition can achieve equal or even better academic success than their counterparts.
- Dyslexia is linked to vision issues – Another common myth that we have seen a lot is that dyslexia is related to vision problems. Vision problems do not result from dyslexia, and they do not cause dyslexia either. Children with dyslexia are no more prone to having problems with their vision than children without it. Dyslexia is a learning difference that is language-based. Vision issues can definitely make it more difficult to read fluently, but this is not connected with dyslexia, so it is vital to keep this in mind.
- Dyslexia results in words or letters appearing out of order or backward – Seeing words or letters out of order or backward is definitely one of the biggest myths out there about dyslexia. When writing, a lot of children will reverse letters or get the word order muddled up when they are reading. This does not mean that they definitely have dyslexia. Furthermore, dyslexia does not result in words appearing in a different manner. Rather, kids who have dyslexia have deficits when connecting speech sounds with written letters or phonological processing. As a consequence of this, this can make writing and reading tasks more difficult.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of some of the common myths and misconceptions when it comes to dyslexia. At Sage School, we specialize in helping children who have dyslexia. You can learn more about us on our website.
