What isDyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurological, language-based learning difference that affects the way the brain processes written and spoken language. It is the most common learning disability, affecting an estimated 1 in 5 people — regardless of intelligence, effort, or background.
Dyslexia is not a reflection of a child's intelligence or potential. Many brilliant, creative, and successful people have dyslexia — they simply needed the right tools and support to unlock their abilities.
The Science
How dyslexia affects the brain.
Dyslexia occurs when the brain has difficulty connecting letters to their sounds — a process called phonological processing. This makes decoding written words slow, effortful, and inaccurate, even when a child is trying their hardest.
Brain imaging research shows that people with dyslexia use different neural pathways when reading. The good news? With structured, systematic, explicit literacy instruction — like the Orton-Gillingham based therapy provided at LiFT — the brain can build new, more efficient reading pathways.
Phonological Processing
Difficulty connecting letters to their sounds and manipulating sounds in words.
Decoding
Slow, effortful sounding out of words, even familiar ones.
Working Memory
Challenges holding and manipulating language information in short-term memory.
Early Identification
Signs to watch for.
Early identification is key. The sooner a student receives structured literacy intervention, the better the outcome. Here are common signs of dyslexia by age group:
Early Childhood (Pre-K – K)
- Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or recognizing rhyming words
- Trouble learning the alphabet, numbers, or days of the week
- Delayed speech or difficulty pronouncing words
- Struggles to recognize their own name in print
Elementary School (Grades 1–5)
- Reading slowly, with great effort, or below grade level
- Difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words
- Frequent spelling errors, even with familiar words
- Avoids reading aloud or reading for pleasure
- Difficulty remembering sequences (days of week, months)
Middle & High School (Grades 6–12)
- Reads and writes significantly below grade level
- Struggles with foreign language learning
- Poor written expression despite strong verbal skills
- Takes much longer than peers to complete reading assignments
- Low self-esteem related to academic performance
Setting the Record Straight
Myths vs. Facts.
Dyslexia means seeing letters backwards.
Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference, not a vision problem. It affects how the brain processes the sounds in words, not how the eyes see letters.
Dyslexic students just aren't trying hard enough.
Dyslexia has nothing to do with effort or intelligence. Many highly intelligent, hardworking students have dyslexia — they simply need a different approach to learning.
Kids will grow out of it.
Dyslexia is a lifelong condition, but with the right structured literacy intervention, students can develop strong reading and writing skills and thrive academically.
Dyslexia only affects reading.
Dyslexia can also impact writing, spelling, and sometimes math. Related conditions like dysgraphia (writing difficulties) often co-occur with dyslexia.
The Other Side
Dyslexia comes with real strengths.
The same brain differences that make reading harder often come with remarkable gifts. Many of the world's most creative and innovative thinkers — entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and leaders — have dyslexia.
"Dyslexia is not a disability — it's a different ability. With the right support, every dyslexic student can become a confident, capable reader and an unstoppable learner."
Oklahoma Dyslexia & Dysgraphia Handbook
The official Oklahoma State Department of Education resource covering identification, intervention, and support for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia.
Piper's Story
Watch a real story about a student's journey with dyslexia — and how the right support changed everything.
Dyslexia Awareness
A powerful look at dyslexia awareness — what it means, why it matters, and how understanding it can change a student's life.
We Can Help
Think your child might have dyslexia?
LiFT's Certified Academic Language Therapists are trained to assess and provide structured literacy intervention for students with dyslexia and related reading difficulties. The first step is our Family Questionnaire.
★ Start here — takes just a few minutes