What are the different types of Dyslexia?

What are the different types of Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disorder characterized by difficulty with reading despite normal intelligence. Different people are affected to varying degrees. Problems may include difficulties in spelling words, reading quickly, writing words, “sounding out” words in the head, pronouncing words when reading aloud, and understanding what one reads. Although dyslexia is the term most commonly used, there are several specific types of dyslexia or related reading disorders. Here are the main types:

  1. Phonological Dyslexia: This is the most common form of dyslexia. It involves difficulty in processing the phonological component of language. People with phonological dyslexia have difficulty breaking down words into their component sounds, which affects their ability to read, spell, and sometimes speak.
  2. Surface Dyslexia: Individuals with surface dyslexia have a particular difficulty with whole-word recognition and spelling. They tend to read in a very phonetic manner, which can lead to errors when reading irregularly spelled words (words that do not follow standard phonetic rules).
  3. Rapid Naming Deficit: Although not exclusively a type of dyslexia, rapid naming deficit relates to the speed at which a person can name letters, numbers, and colors. Individuals with this deficit may have difficulty retrieving phonological information quickly, affecting their reading fluency.
  4. Double Deficit Dyslexia: This involves having both a phonological deficit and a rapid naming deficit. It is considered to be more severe than having just one of the deficits.
  5. Visual Dyslexia: Also known as dyslexia due to visual processing difficulties, this type involves difficulty with processing visual information. Individuals might struggle with distinguishing letters, seeing letters in reverse, or having trouble with visual tracking from one word to the next. However, the concept of visual dyslexia is less commonly recognized, as research tends to emphasize phonological aspects of dyslexia.
  6. Orthographic Dyslexia: Individuals with this type have difficulty recognizing the visual form of words and can struggle with spelling because they have a hard time storing and retrieving words from memory. Orthographic processing is crucial for understanding the patterns of letter sequences within words.
  7. Auditory Dyslexia: Involves difficulties in processing and understanding auditory information related to language and speech

It’s important to note that dyslexia is a spectrum, and these types are not always distinct categories. Many individuals with dyslexia may show symptoms across different types, making their experience with the disorder unique. Effective interventions often require a personalized approach that addresses the specific challenges faced by each individual.

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Verywellhealth

NIH