This inability to communicate in writing effectively can impact many areas of education, not just English class, leaving many parents and teachers perplexed at why a child can seem so bright in some subjects but not be able to spell a simple word.
"Most people think dyslexia is a reading disorder, but it is also a spelling and writing problem," says Berninger.
Making Sense of Nonsense
It is estimated that 10 percent of the population is affected to some degree by dyslexia, which affects boys and girls equally. The first, most noticeable signs of dyslexia, according to Berninger, are a difficulty naming letters and attaching sounds to those letters.
The Dyslexia Institute also notes that delayed speaking as a baby, difficulty performing tasks in sequence and lack of concentration during reading lessons may also signal a learning disorder. These children may display a proficiency in other subjects, like math or art, making their deficiencies in language all the more pronounced.
"Usually, the parent just knows that something is wrong," says Berninger.
In the United States, most children with dyslexia are placed in special education classes where reading problems are addressed in small groups or one-on-one sessions. Special education classes that cater to the dyslexic mind help. In fact, the International Dyslexia Association reports that if children with dyslexia get special training by kindergarten or first grade, they have few problems learning to read at grade level.
