What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia often runs in families. If a parent or sibling has dyslexia, a child has a 40–60% chance of also having it. Scientists have identified several gene variations, including DCDC2, KIAA0319, and ROBO1, that are associated with how the brain processes language and reading. But even without family history, dyslexia can still occur, making it the most common language-based learning difference, affecting 1 in 5 people.

Your Questions, Answered.

Dyslexia is not a mental illness, it is a learning disability. However, dyslexia can trigger mental disorders such as anxiety or depression. This can be due to a multitude of reasons like having a lack of social aptitude, feeling inadequate in school, being judged by your peers, feeling misunderstood, or worrying about asking for help.
Dyslexia can range in severity and can start at different stages in a child’s life. Some of the early signs that may indicate a child is dyslexic include slow speech development, substituting words, difficulty listening or focusing, confusion between directional phrases (i.e. up or down), forgetting names, or carrying out multiple instructions at one time.
There are four different types of dyslexia: Phonological, Surface, Rapid naming deficit, and Double deficit dyslexia. In phonological dyslexia, people struggle to process the sounds of letters and syllables and cannot match them with the associated written words. Surface dyslexia deals with the recognition of words. It is difficult for people with this type of dyslexia to learn and memorize words and have visual processing issues in the brain. People with rapid naming deficit dyslexia find it hard to name something such as a letter, number, or object on command; it takes more time to figure out its name. The last type of dyslexia is double deficit. This person will have trouble with their phonological processes and naming speed, this type of dyslexia is typically more severe.
The feeling of being dyslexic can be generalized as the inability to meet certain “expectations”. Oftentimes the common phrase is that they are not trying hard enough to learn, yet it is quite the opposite, they are trying harder to learn. It is oftentimes frustrating to feel left behind, not grasp concepts, and struggle while everyone else seems to understand. Additionally, getting extra help can be shameful or out of reach. Many accounts of people with dyslexia feel inadequate or “stupid”. Yet, dyslexia does not impact one’s intellectual capacity. In fact, dyslexia is not always a drawback. People with dyslexia have learned to overcome and circumnavigate many obstacles which increases their work ethic and awareness.
Yes, a child with a parent who has dyslexia has a risk of 40-60% chance of developing dyslexia themselves. This risk is increased with more family members who have it.
Sources:
Peterson, R.L., & Pennington, B.F. (2015). Developmental Dyslexia. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 11, 283–307.

Cope, N. et al. (2005). Strong evidence that KIAA0319 on chromosome 6p is a susceptibility gene for developmental dyslexia. American Journal of Human Genetics.

Meng, H. et al. (2005). DCDC2 is associated with reading disability and modulates neuronal development in the brain. PNAS.
Yes, a person with dyslexia will have it for the rest of their life. However, there are many therapies and support systems available to improve or lessen its severity. Some dyslexics showed significant advances with proper treatment.

Walt Disney

Walt Disney was one of the creators of the Disney Empire. It is credited to him that animations in film became increasingly popular. Additionally, Disney’s legacy includes the famous theme parks located around the world. However, on the path of his journey to fame, Walt Disney was diagnosed with Dyslexia. In fact, Disney dropped out of high school due to his learning difficulties, but he still honed his passion for cartooning. Shortly after, Walt Disney was hired at an animation studio to create advertisements and eventually opened his own studio. This studio would flourish into one of the most successful companies in America. Walt Disney’s artistic talent comes from the adversity he faced. Dyslexia enabled Disney to be gifted with an extraordinary imagination that would later lead him to be an international icon.
Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein is one of the most remembered and influential scientists in history. He helped develop the laws of relativity and came up with the equation “E=mc2” which is nicknamed the most famous equation in the World. He received a Nobel Prize in 1921 in Physics, but despite all of his accomplishments in science, he struggled with grammar and spelling. His professors labeled him as “intellectually impaired” because of lack of competence in literature. Instead, he focused his studies on math and science, both of which he excelled phenomenally in. Although dyslexia was not as common to diagnose, Einstein displayed the early signs of dyslexia as a child. He developed his verbal skills late, he had trouble retrieving words, and could not pursue a foreign language. Nonetheless, present-day society remembers Albert Einstein as the genius he was.
John F Kennedy

John F Kennedy was one of the most beloved and remembered presidents of the United States. Kennedy was diagnosed with dyslexia, but despite this, he went on to study at Harvard University, held military honors, and became the President of the United States in 1960. During his time as president, John F Kennedy strengthened research on “Mental Retardation”, and pushed forward amendments for Mental Health Care. Not only did John F Kennedy prove that dyslexia is a strength, but he promoted the country’s awareness of learning disabilities and mental health services.
Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci was an inventor, painter, and sculptor. His works are some of the most recognized pieces of art in history, one of which includes the Mona Lisa. Da Vinci was not diagnosed with dyslexia, as it was irrelevant during his time. But, many historians indicate that he had dyslexia due to his “mirrored” notes, which is a trait sometimes shared with left-handed dyslexic adults. His spelling was also noted to be erratic. When it came to his artwork he paid much attention to detail. Although he may have struggled with his notes, he was very bright and gifted. It is a common belief that people with dyslexia cannot succeed academically, but intelligence encompasses all areas and reaches beyond the books.