Despite increasing awareness, many harmful myths about dyslexia persist, perpetuating misunderstandings and stigmas.
These myths not only hinder the support dyslexic students need but also contribute to unwarranted frustration and self-doubt.
This blog post aims to dispel some of the most pervasive myths about dyslexia and provide accurate information to foster a more supportive learning environment.
There is a harmful myth that suggests students with dyslexia struggle to read because they are not “smart enough” or are not “trying hard enough.”
Fact: The issue lies not with the child, but with their learning environment. Children with dyslexia are just as capable as their peers, but they thrive with instruction that is individualized, explicit, sequential, and multi-sensory.
Bottom line: dyslexia is unrelated to intelligence or motivation. Many individuals with dyslexia are highly intelligent and talented in various fields. Individuals with dyslexia often work very hard to overcome their challenges.
This dangerous myth often prevents dyslexic children from getting the diagnosis – and help – they need to be successful.
Fact: Dyslexia involves difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, spelling, and decoding abilities, not just letter reversals.
Additionally, dyslexia affects language processing, so while some individuals might confuse letters like “b” and “d,” this is not due to seeing them backward.
According to Understood.org, reading issues can persist even after children have learned to read. For many kids with dyslexia, reading remains a more mechanical and less automatic process, resulting in slower reading speeds.
Fact: Dyslexia is a lifelong condition. However, with appropriate interventions and strategies, individuals with dyslexia can learn to manage their challenges effectively.
This harmful myth can do a number on parents who wonder if they’re doing enough at home to help their children learn to read.
Fact: Dyslexia is a neurological condition. While practice can help improve skills, it does not address the underlying difficulties of dyslexia.
Dyslexia doesn’t discriminate, but the diagnostic process, unfortunately, can.
Fact: Research shows that dyslexia affects both boys and girls equally. However, boys are more likely to be diagnosed because they tend to display more disruptive behavior in school.
Fact: There are many reasons a person might have reading difficulties. Dyslexia is just one possible cause, and a proper assessment is needed to determine the specific issue.
Parents of profoundly dyslexic children are often told that their child will never learn to read and that they should accept the likelihood of functional illiteracy.
Fact: With proper, immersive remediation, not only can dyslexic children learn to read, but they can go on to find great success as thriving adults.
Roberts Academy at Mercer University in Macon is Georgia’s only elementary school outside of Metro Atlanta specifically designed to support students with dyslexia.
As an independent transitional school, Roberts Academy’s main goal is to equip students with the essential skills needed to thrive in a traditional academic setting.
After remediation, students will seamlessly reintegrate into their appropriate grade levels at schools selected by their parents.
Apply for admission here.
For more information on admissions and the application process, please visit robertsacademy.org.
Roberts Academy is now accepting applications for enrollment. Classes will begin in August 2024.