Dyslexia. It’s one of those words that gets tossed around like glitter at a kindergarten craft table, but let’s set the record straight. It’s not just about flipping “b”’s and “d”’s or getting your numbers scrambled like a breakfast omelet. That’s just one tiny piece of a much bigger, messier puzzle.
Dyslexia shows up in more flavors than your favorite ice cream shop. We’re talking four main types here: phonological dyslexia, surface dyslexia (fancy folks call it orthographic dyslexia), rapid automatic naming dyslexia, and the overachiever of the group, double-deficit dyslexia. Let’s break it down:
Phonological Dyslexia
This is the OG dyslexia most people think of. It’s when someone struggles to recognize letter sounds and blend them into words. Imagine reading a word and your brain’s like, “Nope, not today.” Phonemic awareness, which is basically the engine of reading, just doesn’t want to start.
Surface Dyslexia
If you’re dealing with this one, sight words are your nemesis. You can sound out words like a champ, but when it comes to recognizing common words automatically, it’s like trying to remember someone’s name five minutes after meeting them. Reading becomes sloooow, and spelling? Let’s just say spell check gets a workout.
Rapid Automatic Naming Dyslexia
Think of this as your brain’s Wi-Fi being stuck on dial-up. Recognizing letters and numbers takes forever, which means reading speed suffers. You know the info is there; it’s just stuck buffering.
Double-Deficit Dyslexia
This one likes to show off by doubling the fun (read: struggle). It’s a combo of phonological dyslexia and rapid naming issues. Surface dyslexia doesn’t usually crash this party, but hey, anything’s possible.
So, Can You Fix It?
Nope. Dyslexia isn’t something you “cure” like a cold. But the good news? There are killer interventions out there to help kids (and adults) slay their reading dragons. Two rockstar programs we recommend at Achieve Psychological and Academic Services, LLC are the Wilson Reading System and the Orton-Gillingham Approach (yes, it’s as fancy as it sounds).
Why Doesn’t My Kid’s School Say ‘Dyslexia’?
Oh, the joys of educational jargon. Thanks to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) (say that three times fast), schools label dyslexia as a “Specific Learning Disability in Basic Reading Skills.” School psychologists in Ohio typically don’t throw the word “dyslexia” around, even if the symptoms scream it. They’re just sticking to the IDEIA script. But don’t worry—your kiddo’s still getting the right help; it’s just wearing a different label.
Wait, It’s Not in the DSM-5?!
True story. Psychiatry skips the term “dyslexia” altogether, opting for the ultra-dry “Learning Disorder in Reading.” Because clearly, what this topic needed was less clarity, right?
Why We’re Here
We get it. The terms, the symptoms, the interventions—it’s a lot. That’s why our evaluations dig deep to connect the dots between reading struggles, dyslexia, and all the fancy terminology. Whether it’s “specific learning disability” or “phonological dyslexia,” we’re here to help your kiddo thrive—and make sense of all the chaos along the way.
So, here’s to cutting through the confusion and crushing those reading challenges, one step at a time.
Ready to tackle dyslexia head-on? Book a comprehensive evaluation with us today and let’s help your child conquer reading challenges with confidence. Contact Achieve Psychological and Academic Services, LLC now at 614-470-4466 (call or text), admin@achievepsychology.org. or visit us online at www.achievepsychology.org.
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