Medical Republic: 'Does Dyslexia Even Exist?

This is the hub of the site and the place to post queries, start discussions and join in the conversation!
Post Reply
User avatar
Debbie_Hepplewhite
Posts: 2500
Joined: Sat May 23, 2015 4:42 pm

Medical Republic: 'Does Dyslexia Even Exist?

Post by Debbie_Hepplewhite »

Here is an interesting article posted by Felicity Nelson with reference to specialists Pamela Snow, Mandy Nayton and Anne Castles. It includes different perspectives of what 'dyslexia' is or isn't:

http://medicalrepublic.com.au/dyslexia-even-exist/8157
Does Dyslexia Even Exist?

People who have been told they have dyslexia often describe letters “swimming” before their eyes when they read, or lines of text mischievously switching places.
In the broader community, there exists a fuzzy impression of what the term may mean, but it’s often perceived as a lifelong reading problem that can affect even the best and brightest among us.


This popular myth has woven dyslexia into tales of fame and wealth, including the likes of scientist Albert Einstein, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, businessmen Richard Branson and Kerry Packer, and popular crime novelist Agatha Christie.

But despite the perception, there is no agreement among experts as to what dyslexia even is, nor is there a universal definition of dyslexia.
Some experts use the word specifically to refer to around 1% to 3% of the population who experience reading difficulties throughout their lifetime, despite having normal cognitive abilities and access to high quality, evidence-based interventions.

Other experts use dyslexia as a synonym for “poor reading”. People with dyslexia, according to this group, have reading abilities in the bottom 5% to 10% of the population. And for most people diagnosed with dyslexia, reading difficulties can cast a long shadow in their lives.
Post Reply