What Is Dyslexia?

Are There Different Types of Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is not a one-size-fits-all problem. There are different types and challenges that affect people in different ways. Developmental dyslexia is the most common form and starts in childhood.

Here are a few of its main subtypes:

• Dyslexia:

It creates difficulty with reading and recognising words.

• Dysgraphia:

It creates challenges with writing, spelling, or organising written ideas.

• Dyscalculia:

It creates trouble with numbers, calculations, or maths concepts.

Understanding which type or combination of dyslexia and symptoms someone has can help parents, teachers, and professionals find the best support and having health insurance can assist with accessing necessary evaluations and therapies.

What Causes It?

There are many causes of dyslexia. It is linked to how the brain processes information. Here are some of the common causes:

• Brain differences:

Dyslexic people experience differences in areas of the brain. Those are particularly helpful in recognising the information with letters and sounds.

• Genetics:

Dyslexia can run in families. If a parent or sibling has it, a child is more likely to develop it.

• Information processing:

Dyslexia directly affects how the brain processes spoken and written information. This makes reading and writing harder.

• Not caused by effort:

It is not a result of any effort, like poor teaching, lack of intelligence, or vision problems. It is a neurodevelopmental condition that reflects a different way of learning, not a lack of ability or motivation.

Symptoms of Dyslexia at Different Ages

Dyslexia symptoms can vary with age. Here are some common symptoms classified below:

In young children:

• Difficulty learning letters and their corresponding sounds

• Trouble recognising rhyming words

• Slower development in learning new words or speaking clearly

In school-age children:

• Struggles with reading aloud or mixing up similar-sounding words

• Frequent spelling mistakes and untidy handwriting

• Tendency to avoid reading or writing tasks

In teenagers and adults:

• Reading remains slow, effortful, and mentally draining

• Challenges with note-taking or writing longer texts

• Difficulty with organisation, time management, and planning tasks

How Is Dyslexia Diagnosed, and Who Can Help?

Diagnosing dyslexia and symptoms can help affected people with the right support:

• Specialist assessments:

Educational psychologists or speech and language therapists assess reading, writing, and language skills by carrying out a few tests.

• Observation and reports:

As teachers and parents, you may often notice early signs and share concerns with professionals.

• Screening tools:

Some schools often use screening tests. It helps them flag up possible learning difficulties.

• Personalised plan:

It is a clear diagnosis that helps create support strategies personalised for each affected person.

Treatment and Support Options Available

It is believed that a dyslexic person can recover with the right support. Let’s discuss some treatment and support options available for this learning disorder, with individual health insurance playing a role in accessing necessary services.

• Specialist teaching:

Consider structured reading and phonics programmes. This helps build reading and spelling skills step by step.

• One-to-one tutoring:

Consider trained tutors. They can adapt lessons to suit individual learning styles.

• Classroom support:

Schools can give extra time for tests, reading aids, or using technology. This can help students keep up with work and feel normal like others.

• Assistive technology:

Using a few tools can help make reading and writing easier. A few examples include text-to-speech, audiobooks, and spell-checkers.

• Family support:

It is more important during childhood. Encouragement at home can help a child with dyslexia build confidence, boost self-esteem, and stay motivated.

• Workplace adjustments:

For adults, workplace support can be highly beneficial. Employers can offer reasonable adjustments such as screen readers, voice-to-text tools, or additional time to complete tasks to help individuals with dyslexia perform effectively.

Conclusion

Living with dyslexia can be challenging, but with the right support, it doesn't have to hold anyone back. Researching dyslexia and symptoms can help get an early diagnosis and the right support eventually.

Moreover, having good health insurance can also make a difference. It can help you cover the cost of assessments or therapy sessions when needed.

One of the important components of our overall wellness is also being financially secured. Healthcare emergencies can happen any time, but a good health insurance policy can protect you from such uncertain situations. To know more about Wellness and other health related tips, visit the wellness corner.

Sources: webmd.com, understood.org, clevelandclinic.org, bdadyslexia.org.uk, mayoclinic.org

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on August 28, 2025