By Julianna Steen Understanding Dyslexia: What Parents Need to Know
18 OCTOBER 2025 | NOLAFAMILY.COM exact cause of dyslexia is still unclear, it affects the way the brain functions and develops, leading to unexpected deficits in cognitive abilities, reading comprehension, and a “reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.” It’s not about a child’s vision or level of intelligence. The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity claims it is “most commonly due to a difficulty in phonological command from your parents to go clean your room, like a camera going in and out of focus. “Most people think it’s just a reading or spelling thing,” Casadaban explains. “Mainly, it’s a short-term memory problem. There’s really no such thing as memorizing something ‘for the test.’ I really do have to learn it.” The IDA explains that though the It’s natural for your kid to struggle when learning to read, but what about when they’re still learning the alphabet after the other kids have moved on? “In first grade, I didn’t know all my letters, and everyone else was on sight words, and that’s when we started to realize something was wrong,” Gigi Casadaban, a friend with dyslexia, recalls. Hearing the diagnosis “dyslexia” might feel scary or intimidating as a parent, but you’re not alone: Dyslexia is actually pretty common—it affects 20 percent of the population and represents 80–90 percent of all those with learning disabilities. Moreover, early support can The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) defines dyslexia as “a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.” In essence, your brain jumbles letters, words, and even the make a huge difference. DYSLEXIA DEFINED
processing (the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, spell, and often, learn a second language.” DYSLEXIA DIAGNOSED Dyslexia is typically diagnosed by a comprehensive exam, which involves “intellectual and academic achievement testing, as well as an assessment of the critical underlying language skills that are closely linked to dyslexia,” according to the IDA. The testing is more than checking your child’s current reading level: It covers literary challenges like phonological awareness, decoding, reading fluency and comprehension, and rapid naming to evaluate your child’s cognitive and language processes. If you believe your child might have dyslexia, begin by talking to their teacher or pediatrician. Signs to watch for include: difficulty learning letters and sounds; trouble rhyming or remembering sequences; slow, effortful reading; avoidance of reading aloud; and poor spelling despite strong verbal skills. If they attend public school, you can also request a free school evaluation under IDEA. Often, if a student fails a dyslexia screening test, they will be referred to the school-based problem-solving team, who will review the student’s data and develop an IEP (Individualized Education Program) plan for the student. The Student Action Plan can include dyslexia specific interventions, accommodations like extra time on tests, and/or assistive technology to assist the student in accessing content materials. Private testing is also an option, available for a cost. DYSLEXIA SUPPORT TEAM
“My parents were so supportive and never made me feel embarrassed,” Casadaban shares. “They were a real blessing in that they never hid it or acted like we shouldn’t tell people about my dyslexia.” Her advice to parents with a child with dyslexia is to embrace it and support your child—don’t be embarrassed by their dyslexia, because it will lead your kid to be embarrassed by it too. “I know it’s scary to find out something’s wrong with your kid and that you want them to do so well, but they’re going to be fine,” she assures parents. “School’s going to be tough, but that’s how it’s going to be, and your kid can do all the things you can do; It might just take them more time to do it. Ultimately they’re going to be great people with opportunities for jobs and careers, especially with your help.” DYSLEXIA TIMELINE There is no “cure” for dyslexia—it’s a lifelong journey. However, early intervention can be instrumental in helping your child learn. “Early intervention or additional direct instruction should begin as early as kindergarten or first grade for struggling readers when the gap is small and students benefit from brain plasticity advantages for learning language-based information,” the IDA recommends. When you first notice your child’s struggles, be proactive in advocating for them to get the resources they need. DYSLEXIA REFRAMED Although there are certainly challenges that your child will face because of dyslexia, there are also advantages. Casadaban’s parents would tell her growing up that it would both hurt and help her brain to have dyslexia—and now she finally understands what they meant.
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