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NINDS Dyslexia Information Page

Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)

What is Dyslexia?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Clinical Trials
Organizations

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), spelling, and/or rapid visual-verbal responding. In
individuals with adult onset of dyslexia, it usually occurs as a result of brain injury or in the context of dementia;
this contrasts with individuals with dyslexia who simply were never identified as children or adolescents. Dyslexia
can be inherited in some families, and recent studies have identified a number of genes that may predispose an
individual to developing dyslexia.

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 and produces
such 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 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes
of Health (NIH) support dyslexia research through grants to major research institutions across the country. Current
research avenues focus on developing techniques to diagnose and treat dyslexia and other learning disabilities,
increasing the understanding of the biological and possible genetic bases of learning disabilities, and exploring the
relationship between neurophysiological processes and cognitive functions with regard to reading ability.
NIH Patient Recruitment for Dyslexia Clinical Trials
 At NIH Clinical Center
 Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide
 NINDS Clinical Trials

Organizations

International Dyslexia Association Learning Disabilities Association of America

40 York Road 4156 Library Road
4th Floor Suite 1
Baltimore, MD 21204 Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
info@interdys.org info@ldaamerica.org
http://www.interdys.org http://www.ldaamerica.org
Tel: 410-296-0232 800-ABCD123 Tel: 412-341-1515
Fax: 410-321-5069 Fax: 412-344-0224

National Center for Learning Disabilities National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
381 Park Avenue South (NICHD)
Suite 1401 National Institutes of Health, DHHS
New York, NY 10016 31 Center Drive, Rm. 2A32 MSC 2425
ncld@ncld.org Bethesda, MD 20892-2425
http://www.ld.org http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 212-545-7510 888-575-7373 Tel: 301-496-5133
Fax: 212-545-9665 Fax: 301-496-7101

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Tel: 301-443-4513/866-415-8051 301-443-8431
(TTY)
Fax: 301-443-4279

Related NINDS Publications and Information

 NINDS Learning Disabilities Information Page
Learning disabilities information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke (NINDS).

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent
endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other
Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation
with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the
NIH is appreciated.

Last updated September 30, 2011

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

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