Dyslexia & learning differences

Common learning differences

• Dyscalculia: numbers and math
• Dysgraphia: handwriting and putting thoughts on paper
• Dyslexia: reading words accurately and smoothly, and spelling

A person can have more than one. Problems with planning, organizing and managing time often come along with learning disabilities too.

Learning disabilities are often not spotted until a child starts school, but the signs likely begin earlier. Some people aren’t identified until they are teens or adults.

Children with learning disabilities are more often diagnosed with ADHD than other children. When both are present, each needs its own support, and both can be helped at the same time.

Dyscalculia often appears alongside ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia or autism. Dysgraphia is common in autistic children and children with ADHD.

Ages 3–5

• Mixing up similar-sounding words
• Trouble learning or recognizing letters
• Trouble with rhymes

Ages 5–13

• Avoiding reading tasks
• Inconsistent or incorrect spelling
• Stomachaches or headaches before school or homework
• Trouble reading simple words, even after learning letter sounds

Teens and adults

• Embarrassment or worry about reading aloud
• Relying on memory, context or listening instead of reading
• Slow reading, or rereading to understand
• Trouble with spelling and clear writing

Dyslexia runs in families. Some people are identified early in life, while others are not identified until they are older.

Many people with dyslexia develop strong problem-solving skills, creativity and communication skills. Many are strong at visual and spatial tasks.

Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to do math. It is not a sign of lower intelligence. Experts estimate it affects 3% to 7% of people worldwide.

It can look like

• Counting on fingers for small numbers after classmates have stopped
• Struggling with times tables and word problems
• Trouble linking numbers to amounts
• Trouble with money, measuring and fractions as a teen or adult

Many adults have dyscalculia without knowing it. Apps, calculators and other tools can help.

People with dyscalculia can feel anxious or even panicky when math is needed, including test anxiety. Some feel angry, fear going to school, or get stomachaches, nausea or sweating.

Dysgraphia makes it hard to turn thoughts into written language. It can affect handwriting, spacing, spelling, writing speed, grammar and organizing ideas on paper. A person may speak much more easily than they write.

What can help

• Answering tests out loud
• Apps or software for writing
• Graphic organizers to plan writing
• Pencil grips and other writing tools

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), also called dyspraxia, affects physical coordination. Children may seem clumsy and find drawing, writing, dressing or sports harder than others their age. It often continues into adulthood.

DCD doesn’t affect intelligence, but it can make learning harder. About half of children with dyspraxia also have ADHD, and anxiety and depression are more common.

What can help

• Breaking hard movements into small steps and practicing often
• Occupational or physical therapy
• Special pen grips and adapted tools
• Support at school, including an IEP if a child qualifies

People with central auditory processing disorder have trouble understanding and remembering language-based information. They may struggle to follow directions, understand jokes, or explain things, and may be easily distracted.

Some people have strong verbal skills but find it hard to read facial expressions and body language. They may also be clumsy and find it hard to follow multistep directions.

Apraxia of speech makes it hard for a person to say what they intend to say.

Struggling in school without the right support can hurt self-esteem and lead to anxiety. Kids may start calling themselves “stupid” or avoid schoolwork. Early help and simple changes, like extra time or audiobooks, can make a big difference.

Ideas that help

• Celebrate effort and small progress, not just grades
• Name strengths out loud
• Read aloud to them, even when they’re older
• Share stories of adults who learned differently

Mental health professionals can help children understand hard feelings, cope with them, and build healthy relationships. Counseling for frustration or anxiety is part of good support for dyslexia.

Some adults are only identified later in life. Finding out can make sense of years of struggle, and it is never too late to get help.

Most people with dyslexia need help from a teacher, tutor or therapist trained in a structured language approach. Lessons should be systematic and explicit, and use several senses at the same time.

Many people need one-on-one help so they can move at their own pace, with lots of practice and quick feedback. It helps when outside tutors work closely with classroom teachers.

Some schools screen students and give extra reading help right away if a child is behind. Some children just need more structured teaching to catch up. For others, it is the first step toward support for dyslexia.

A full evaluation usually includes thinking and school achievement tests, plus listening, speaking and sound skills, and how quickly a person can name letters and numbers. Trained school staff or outside specialists can do it.

Schools can give extra time, help with notes, adjusted assignments, recorded tests or other ways of being assessed.

In the U.S., IDEA, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act protect the rights of students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

Ideas to try

• Audiobooks
• Colored overlays or reading rulers
• Reading pens or smart pens
• Text-to-speech and screen readers

Ideas to try

• Speech recognition (talk-to-type)
• Spelling and grammar checkers
• Word prediction software
• Word processors instead of handwriting

Ideas to try

• Counting and measuring aids
• Math apps and software
• Talking or large-display calculators
• Talking watches and coin counters

Understand your learning challenges, think about possible solutions, and ask for the resources that will help you reach your goals. Work with your school or employer to set up a supportive environment.

Not everyone with a learning disability needs accommodations, and many need only a few. Adults can ask for changes like written instructions under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Examples

• Extra time for written tasks
• Moving math-heavy tasks to a coworker
• Recorded instructions or messages
• Speech recognition and text-to-speech software
• Spoken answers instead of written ones

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) gives free, confidential advice on accommodations.

In the U.S., IDEA, Section 504 and the ADA protect people with dyslexia and other learning disabilities from unfair and illegal discrimination.

These groups are listed by the National Institutes of Health as places to learn more.

• International Dyslexia Association: dyslexiaida.org
• Learning Disabilities Association of America: ldaamerica.org
• Understood (from the National Center for Learning Disabilities): understood.org

Parent Training and Information Centers, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, help families understand special education. Find yours through the Center for Parent Information and Resources (parentcenterhub.org).

Hearing from adults who learned differently can help children and adults feel less alone. Local branches of national organizations often run events and support groups.