Dyslexia Awareness, Tools, Resources & Support
Dyslexia awareness and resources are critical for the 15 to 20% of the population challenged with dyslexia. Some of our readers may know that the month of October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Although we provide dyslexia tools and resources to our many customers and clients throughout the year, we make it a point to emphasize awareness of and share even more resources for dyslexia with everyone during this month of October. With the incidence of dyslexia estimated to be 1 in 5, it is essential that parents, teachers and other adults become aware of these statistics so that they can better address the needs of the many individuals with this specific learning challenge.
What IS Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a brain-based learning difference that specifically impairs a person’s ability to read. Individuals challenged with dyslexia typically read at levels significantly lower than expected even with normal or average intelligence. Although the symptoms and experiences of dyslexia can vary from one person to another, the common characteristics of the condition are:
1. Difficulty with phonological processing
-Phonics understanding
-Phonemic awareness and/or
-Manipulation of sounds
2. Challenges with spelling and/or
3. Difficulty with rapid visual-verbal responding
Can Dyslexia Be Inherited?
In persons with the adult onset of dyslexia, it usually occurs as a result of brain injury or in association with dementia. However, dyslexia may have been present in childhood or adolescence but was never identified until adulthood. Children who experience the symptoms listed above here should be considered candidates for dyslexia testing and evaluation by an appropriate medical professional (a behavioral or developmental optometrist, a developmental pediatrician, or other certified dyslexia specialist). Dyslexia can be inherited in some families, and recent studies have identified a number of genes that may predispose an individual to develop dyslexia.
In honor of this Dyslexia Awareness Month, we wanted to provide our readers with current and helpful resources to assist parents, teachers and other adults as they work with individuals challenged with dyslexia. We hope you will find these resources of benefit to you or someone you know.
Dyslexia Resources & Support Organizations
The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity serves as a nexus for research on dyslexia, and is as well a leading source of advocacy and information to better the lives of people with dyslexia.
DyslexiaHelp—University of Michigan
This website offers much information about dyslexia together with research, success stories and other related resources for parents, teachers and students.
International Dyslexia Association
This well-known organization provides general information and support for persons with dyslexia. This link presents an online Dyslexia Self-Assessment for Adults.
Decoding Dyslexia
Decoding Dyslexia is a national network of parent-led grassroots movements across the country concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia within the public education system. We aim to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children and inform policy-makers on best practices to identify, remediate and support students with dyslexia.
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.
Dyslegia: A Legislative Information Site
This website is maintained by Davis Dyslexia Association International to report and track pending legislation in the United States. Great resource for sharing information about legislative initiatives, as a forum for discussion and exploration of policy issues, and as a communications tool to encourage citizen participation and involvement with their representatives in government.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
This website provides basic information about dyslexia as well as supportive resource links.
College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)
Organization of developmental (behavioral) optometrists, medical professionals who can test and evaluate as well as diagnose and treat dyslexia and other vision-related reading challenges. A locator tool for such diagnosticians in your area is available on the website.
Helpful Dyslexia Tools & Apps
OpenDyslexic Font (FREE)
Created by Abelardo Gonzalez
OpenDyslexic is a great, open-sourced font created to increase readability for readers with dyslexia. The typeface includes regular, bold, italic, and bold-italic styles. It is being updated continually and improved based on input from dyslexic users. FREE download available.
The Reading Focus Cards (Handheld Reading Tools)
(U.S. Patent 7,565,759) from Brennan Innovators, LLC
Sensory-appealing and customizable reading tools and solutions for challenged readers of all ages. Made in the U.S.A.
APP—Overlays! (for OS X 10.8 or later) Created by Abbie Gonzalez
Use to help with reading or sometimes to help following large tables and lists of data. Battle the wall of text, eyestrain and distractions with this on screen overlay to help you keep your place!
APP—Reading Focus Cards (Mac & PC—Price: $5.99) (U.S. Patent 8,360,779)
This customizable Mac & PC app is the digital version of the physical Reading Focus Cards (U.S. Patent 7,565,759). App provides practical reading SUPPORT for children & adults with ADHD, dyslexia, autism & other conditions often affecting reading success. Promotes more FOCUSED reading of almost ALL digital media (webpages, PDF files, Word docs, Excel spreadsheets & more.) Supports touch-screen technology (where applicable). Virtual Reading Focus Card can be moved on the screen & over text with fingers, mouse, or arrow keys, as needed.
1. Mac Version:
Visit the Mac App Store to access, purchase & securely download the Reading Focus Cards app.
2. Windows PC Version:
Visit Gumroad (for Win 7, 8, & 10 app versions) to access, purchase & securely download the Reading Focus Cards app.
OR visit the Microsoft Windows Store at (for Win 10 & 11 app versions only) and search for the Read and Focus Card app.
Best Books for Dyslexia
Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level
by Sally Shaywitz, M.D.; New Edition (2020)
Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide
by Pam Wright and Pete Wright; Harbor House Law Press (2006)
The Gift of Dyslexia
by Ronald D. Davis, Eldon M. Braun; Penguin Group-USA (1997)
(first published May 1, 1993)
The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain
by Brock and Fernette Eide, M.D.; Plume (2012)
Dyslexic AND UN-Stoppable – How Dyslexia Helps Us Create The Life Of Our Dreams And How YOU Can Do It Too
by Lucie M. Curtiss, R.N. and Douglas C. Curtiss, M.D., FAAP
