Dyslexia.
A language-based learning difference that affects reading, spelling, and writing — but not intelligence.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, accounting for roughly 80% of all LDs. It's a language-processing difference that affects a person's ability to read, write, and spell accurately.
Dyslexia is a neurological condition that affects phonological processing — the brain's ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language. It often runs in families. It's not related to intelligence — people with dyslexia have average or above-average intelligence; their brains just take a different route to language.
Common areas of difficulty include:
Decoding — sounding out unfamiliar words
Reading fluency — reading smoothly and at pace
Spelling — applying letter-sound rules consistently
Reading comprehension — extracting meaning from text
Writing — organizing thoughts on the page
Early intervention is most effective, but research shows learners of any age — including adults — can develop strong reading skills with structured support.
Common signs of dyslexia
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IN CHILDREN
Difficulty learning the alphabet, trouble sounding out words, slow or laboured reading, frequent spelling mistakes, avoidance of reading.
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IN ADULTS
Avoiding reading aloud, slow reading speed, difficulty with written instructions, persistent spelling errors, fatigue with text-heavy tasks.
What helps
Dyslexia responds well to structured, multi-sensory instruction — programs like Orton-Gillingham and the Barton Reading System teach reading systematically, building one skill at a time.
Early intervention is most effective, but learners of any age can build strong reading and spelling skills with the right support.
How LDAM helps
Barton Reading & Spelling
One-on-one Orton Gillingham influenced tutoring for kids, teens and adults.