NINDS Dyslexia Information Page: NINDS

Article title: NINDS Dyslexia Information Page: NINDS

Conditions: Dyslexia

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What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person's ability to read. These individuals typically read at levels significantly lower than expected despite having normal intelligence. Although the disorder varies from person to person, common characteristics among people with dyslexia are difficulty with phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds) and/or rapid visual-verbal responding.

Is there any treatment?
The main focus of treatment should be on the specific learning problems of affected individuals. The usual course is to modify teaching methods and the educational environment to meet the specific needs of the individual with dyslexia.

What is the prognosis?
For those with dyslexia, the prognosis is mixed. The disability affects such a wide range of people, producing different symptoms and varying degrees of severity, that predictions are hard to make. The prognosis is generally good, however, for individuals whose dyslexia is identified early, who have supportive family and friends and a strong self-image, and who are involved in a proper remediation program.

What research is being done?
The NINDS and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Mental Health, conduct research on dyslexia. Current research avenues focus on developing techniques to diagnose and treat dyslexia and other learning disabilities, increasing the understanding of the biological basis of learning disabilities, and exploring the relationship between neurophysiological processes and cognitive functions with regard to reading ability.

Selected references

Kujala, T, et al.
Basic auditory dysfunction in dyslexia as demonstrated by brain activity measurements. Psychophysiology, 37:2; 262-266 (March 2000).

Lambe, E.K.
Dyslexia, gender, and brain imaging. Neuropsychologia, 37:5; 521-536 (February 1, 1999).

Rennie, J.
Defining Dyslexia. Scientific American, 31-32 (July 1992).

Rosenberger, PB.
Dyslexia: Is it a Disease? The New England Journal of Medicine, 326:3; 192-193 (January 16, 1992).

Rumsey, JM.
The Biology of Developmental Dyslexia. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 268:7; 912-915 (August 19, 1992).

School of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, The University of Dublin, Trinity College, IRL-Dublin, Ireland.
Dyslexia: oral and written language disorder. A new look at old links. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopedica, 52:1-3; 7-13 (January-June 2000).

 Organizations

International Dyslexia Association
8600 LaSalle Road
Chester Building, Ste. 382
Baltimore, MD 21286-2044
info@interdys.org
http://www.interdys.org/
Tel: 410-296-0232 800-ABCD123
Fax: 410-321-5069

Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
ldanatl@usaor.net
http://www.ldanatl.org/
Tel: 412-341-1515 412-341-8077
Fax: 412-344-0224

National Center for Learning Disabilities
381 Park Avenue South
Suite 1401
New York, NY 10016
http://www.ld.org/
Tel: 212-545-7510 888-575-7373
Fax: 212-545-9665

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31, Rm. 2A32
Bethesda, MD 20892-2425
NICHDClearinghouse@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/
Tel: 301-496-5133 800-370-2943

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
6001 Executive Blvd.
Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Tel: 301-443-4513 TTY: 301-443-8431 Depression Info: 800-421-4211 Anxiety Info: 88-88-ANXIETY (269-4389) Panic Info: 888-64-PANIC (64-72642)
Fax: 301-443-4279

Related NINDS Publications and Information

Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities information sheet compiled by NINDS.

This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892



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