What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a language based learning disability characterized by problems in expressive or receptive, oral or written language. Problems may emerge in reading, spelling, writing, speaking, or listening. Dyslexia describes a different kind of mind, often gifted and productive, that learns differently. Dyslexia is not the result of low intelligence. An unexpected gap exists between learning aptitude and achievement in school. The problem is not behavioral, psychological, motivational, or social. It is not a problem of vision; people with dyslexia do not "see backward." Dyslexia results from differences in the structure and function of the brain. Many dyslexics are creative and have unusual talent in areas such as art, athletics, architecture, graphics, electronics, mechanics, drama, music, or engineering. Dyslexics often show special talent in areas that require visual, spatial, and motor integration. Their problems in language processing distinguish them as a group. This means that the dyslexic has problems translating language to thought (as in listening or reading) or thought to language (as in writing or speaking).

How common are language-based learning disabilities?
According to the International Dyslexia Asssociation, about 15% of the population has a learning disability. Of the students with learning disabilities receiving special education services, 70-80% have deficits in reading.

Can dyslexia be inherited?
Dyslexia is a hereditary condition, so if you have a history of dyslexia in your family, it's a good idea to get information now so that you can catch early warning signs in your own children. However, children today do not have to struggle as much with their dyslexia as the generations before them. We have a greater understanding of what it means to be dyslexic and we know which educational interventions are most effective in helping these children learn to read.

What are some characteristics of dyslexia?
- Lack of awareness of sounds in words, rhymes, or syllables
- Difficulty decoding single words (sounding out)
- Difficulty encoding words (spelling)
- Poor sequencing of numbers, and/or letters in words, when read or written (12/21, sing/sign, left/felt)
- Difficulty with reading comprehension, due to poor decoding or fluency rate
- Difficulty expressing thoughts in written form
- Delayed spoken language
- Incomplete interpretation of language/information that is heard
- Difficulty expressing thoughts orally
- Confusion about direction in space or time (left/right, yesterday/tomorrow, months and days)
- Confusion about left or right handedness
- Similar problems in other family members
- Difficulty with handwriting
- Difficulty in math; often related to sequencing of steps, directionality, or the language of math

What type of instruction is recommended for a student with dyslexia?
Students with dyslexia NEED special instructional programs to learn to read, write and spell effectively.  Traditional educational programs often ARE NOT effective for students with dyslexia.
- Program Content: Students with dyslexia require a structured language program.  Direct instruction in the code of written language (the letter-sound system) is critical.  This code must be taught in a sequential, cumulative, explicit manner.  There must be systematic teaching of the rules governing written language.  
- Program Delivery: Students with dyslexia require multisensory delivery of language content.  Multisensory instruction employs all the pathways of learning; seeing, hearing, touching, writing, and speaking.  Multisensory instruction requires a teacher or therapist who is specifically trained in a program which research has documented to be effective for dyslexic learners.  

How long does a student usually need individualized remedial services for dyslexia?
No one can answer this question definitively.  Each student's difficulties differ in severity and type.  Other factors affecting student progress include age, past social/emotional history, learning style, home and school support, and any other impairments that might be present.  There ARE effective educational strategies that can be used to help dyslexic students become successful readers.  These strategies take time and effort.  Typically, students in a specialized, structured language program may meet several times per week for 1-2 years.  There is not a quick or easy solution to dyslexia.

Why is it important to choose an educational therapist rather than a tutor?
For parents who have decided to hire an educational therapist, choosing the right instructor is one of the most important decisions in the journey to help a child struggling to learn to read. Teaching reading is complex. Although parents can do lots of things to support their child’s reading progress, most do not have the expertise to be their child’s reading teacher. Sometimes when parents have the skills to teach their child, they prefer not to do so.  Educational therapy includes the use of remedial and therapeutic interventions when working with individuals with learning difficulties. An educational therapist combines educational and therapeutic approaches for evaluation, remediation, case management, and advocacy on behalf of children with learning difficulties. 

Educational therapy programs are focused on building underlying skills which are the foundations of literacy.  Therapy is systematic, sequential and cumulative in nature.  Therapy is designed to follow a specific format of instruction, effectively building a new skill based on the understanding of a skill learned in the previous lesson.  Assessment of progress and comprehension is built into the session.  Educational therapists who specialize in reading difficulties have extensive training in a multisensory structured language (MSL) approach.  MSL is an umbrella term that describes a type of instructional approach for teaching reading and writing, especially for teaching sound-letter relationships, by incorporating all the senses. Multisensory techniques are used so that the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic/tactile senses can all be employed to help focus the student’s attention and the brain to imprint the letters and sounds that go together.

Educational therapists are often highly trained with advanced educational degrees such as a Master’s Degree.  Learning how to teach one of the MSL approaches takes significant time and expertise.  Training is equivalent to college level courses and typically includes a practicum where the therapist is supervised by a master teacher. Organizations that accredit MSL teacher training programs recommend that therapists work 100 hours or more in a supervised practicum. Such requirements clearly demonstrate that it is not only the materials and the approach that are important but that the most effective educational therapists have been well-trained under informed supervision.