Dyslexia - A specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and reading abilities.
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia 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.

The exact causes of dyslexia are still not completely clear, but anatomical and brain imagery studies show differences in the way the brain of a dyslexic person develops and functions. Moreover, most people with dyslexia have been found to have problems with identifying the separate speech sounds within a word and/or learning how letters represent those sounds, a key factor in their reading difficulties. Dyslexia is not due to either lack of intelligence or desire to learn. With appropriate teaching methods, dyslexics can learn successfully.
 
As many as 15-20% of the population as a whole have some of the symptoms of dyslexia including slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling, poor writing, or mixing up similar words. Dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels. People who are very bright can be dyslexic. They are often capable or even gifted in areas that do not require strong language skills such as art, computer science, design, drama, electronics, math, mechanics, music, physics, sales, and sports. In addition, dyslexia runs in families. Dyslexic parents are very likely to have children who are dyslexic.
 
The impact that dyslexia has is different for each person and depends on the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of instruction or remediation. Some dyslexics manage to learn early reading and spelling tasks, but later experience their most debilitating problems when more complex language skills are required.
 
People with dyslexia can also have problems with spoken language. They may find it difficult to express themselves clearly or to fully comprehend what others mean when they speak.
 
Dyslexia can also affect a person's self-image. Students with dyslexia often end up feeling "dumb" and less capable than they actually are.
 
Dyslexia is a life-long condition. Early identification and treatment is the key to helping dyslexics achieve in school and in life. Most people with dyslexia need help from a teacher, tutor, or therapist specially trained in using a multisensory, structured language approach. Many individuals with dyslexia need one-on-one tutoring so they can move forward at their own pace. With proper help, many people with dyslexia can learn to read and write well.
 
  - All above information provided by The International Dyslexia Association
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