Where confidence and skills grow together
Dyslexia
What is it?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties in word reading and/or spelling that involve accuracy, speed, or both and vary depending on the orthography. These difficulties occur along a continuum of severity and persist even with instruction that is effective for the individual's peers. The causes of dyslexia are complex and involve combinations of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental influences that interact throughout development. Underlying difficulties with phonological and morphological processing are common but not universal, and early oral language weaknesses often foreshadow literacy challenges. Secondary consequences include reading comprehension problems and reduced reading and writing experience that can impede growth in language, knowledge, written expression, and overall academic achievement. Psychological well-being and employment opportunities also may be affected. Although identification and targeted instruction are important at any age, language and literacy support before and during the early years of education is particularly effective.
Source: Adopted by the International Dyslexia Association Board of Directors, October 22, 2025
Common signs of dyslexia may include:
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difficulty reading words by themselves
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difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words
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slow, inaccurate, or effortful reading
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difficulty with spelling
These difficulties are often connected to:
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breaking words into sounds, blending sounds together, or changing sounds in words (phonemic awareness)
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learning letter names and the sounds they represent
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remembering sounds and words (phonological memory)
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quickly recalling familiar names, such as letters, colors, or objects (rapid naming)
Dyslexia may also affect:
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understanding what is read
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expressing ideas in writing
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vocabulary growth when reading difficulties lead to less reading
Dyslexia can look different from one person to another. Not everyone will experience all of these difficulties, and some may be more noticeable than others.
Source: The Texas Education Agency, The Dyslexia Handbook: 2024 Edition
Resources
✨Make Reading Practice Fun Again✨
Looking for ways to make your reading lessons a little more playful? In my Teachers Pay Teachers store, you'll find printable games and activities created with dyslexic learners in mind. From phonemic awareness practice to spelling rules and syllable patterns, there’s something for every stage of the journey.
Featured Games and Bundles
Click any image to view it on my TPT store
✨Explore games and activities made for dyslexic learners and struggling readers✨
Join the Bookworm Basics email list!
I share updates on new games, favorite resources, and sales, along with simple tips and activities for supporting struggling readers.
If you're a homeschool parent, teacher, or therapist looking to add some fun to reading practice, you'll feel right at home here.
When you join, you’ll also get my FREE Reading Games Sampler! Inside you'll find:
• an Ups & Downs board game
• a mini Reel It In card game
• a Four to Score game board
These low-prep games are perfect for extra practice at home, in the classroom, or during tutoring sessions.
Email subscribers even get the occasional exclusive freebie—games I only share with my list!
⭐️ Let's Have Some Fun ⭐️
About Me
Robbin Kelly is a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She has 20 years experience working with students of all ages in a variety of settings. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her passion for teaching struggling readers started when her youngest son was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia. She received training in the Specialist Preparation Program with Nehaus Education Center. Currently a homeschool mom, she works part time as a Dyslexia Therapist.
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