Dyslexia

What is dyslexia?

Characteristics of dyslexia & related disorders

Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. It refers to a cluster of symptoms, which result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words.  Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can change at different stages in a person’s life. It is referred to as a learning disability because dyslexia can make it very difficult for a student to succeed academically in the typical instructional environment. For information regarding characteristics of dyslexia and related disorders, visit the International Dyslexia Association official website and the Texas Dyslexia Handbook, 2024 page 7.

Effective instructional strategies for teaching students with dyslexia & related disorders

Effective literacy instruction is especially critical for students identified with dyslexia. High-quality core classroom reading instruction can give students identified with dyslexia a foundation upon which intervention instruction can have a more significant impact. For more information regarding evidence-based components of dyslexia instruction, visit the Texas Dyslexia Handbook, 2024, pages 38-41.

Evaluation and identification of dyslexia and related disorders

The Dyslexia Handbook, 2024 and TEA’s Guidance for the Comprehensive Evaluation of SLD discuss dyslexia and dysgraphia as conditions that may qualify a student as a student with a SLD under IDEA. For more information visit The Dyslexia Handbook, 2024 page 23 and the Guidance document for the comprehensive evaluation of specific learning disabilities, page 23.

Instructional modifications & accommodations

The key to student success in the classroom lies in having appropriate adaptations, accommodations, and modifications made to the instruction and other classroom activities. Visit Accommodation Central to explore an extensive list of accommodations to support students.

Accommodations Vs. Modifications

TEA Accommodation resources for state assessments

How to request a dyslexia evaluation