What Causes Dyslexia?

If you have a loved one with dyslexia or suspected dyslexia in a your child, you might have asked yourself, What causes dyslexia?” It a question many parents I work with ask because when your child is diagnosed with dyslexia you want to know if you caused it.  I reassure many parents that they did not cause their child’s dyslexia by not reading to the child in the womb, not reading aloud enough to a child, or somehow not emphasizing learning in the home.

What Causes Dyslexia?

Researchers have not identified one stand alone cause for dyslexia. They have identified that dyslexia is highly genetic.  If reading difficulty resides in your family tree, it might be the root cause.  Approximately 60% of people with dyslexia have a genetic link. Another cause of dyslexia is presumed due to neurodevelopmental differences in brain structure. Functional MRI imaging of the brain has allowed researchers to note reduced activations in left temporal, parietal, and fusiform regions. There is often a deficit in the phonological loop which interferes with learning and remembering the sounds of language. Other researchers identified that people with dyslexia have slower rapid automatic naming which is distributed across four lobes and results in decreased reading speed.

Testing for Dyslexia

Although the causes of dyslexia vary, dyslexia can be identified through a comprehensive battery of school neuropsychological testing. There is not a sole test that is accepted to diagnose dyslexia but rather a pattern of reading, spelling, and phonological processing testing that it used.  I am certified by Susan Barton who is the creator of the widely used and evidenced based Barton Reading and Spelling System. She taught me how to accurately identify dyslexia through a specialized battery of tests that we use in my practice.

Treatment for Dyslexia

Once identified, dyslexia treatment is specialized reading instruction which substantially differs from general classroom-based reading instruction. Our testing identifies the best way for your child to learn to become a proficient reader. We also have a list of in person and online dyslexia tutors. I wrote the book, “Parent’s Quick Start Guide to Dyslexia” which is published by Routledge Press and available in bookstores or online.

Call (561) 625 4125 if you are concerned about your child’s reading and would like understanding and answers.  We’re ready to help you help your child.