Skills that can be affected by dyslexia

Dyslexia doesn’t only affect reading. It can make a lot of things hard for kids and adults. Here are some of the other skills and behaviors dyslexia can affect — some of which may surprise you.

• Understand and follow directions
• Repeat something in the right order
• Remember words, phrases, names, and directions
• Find the right word to say
• Pronounce words the right way
• Tell the difference between words that sound similar
• Learn and use new words
• Spell and use grammar the right way
• Rhyme
• Stay on topic
• Understand jokes, puns, and sarcasm
• Speak or read out loud with confidence
• “Sound out” and pronounce words while reading
• Get and stay interested in stories and books
• Understand what’s read
• Understand word problems in math
• Write letters, numbers, and symbols in the right order
• Express ideas in an organized way
• Listen and take notes
• Interpret body language and other social cues
• Make and keep friends
• Express feelings appropriately
• Tell left from right
• Build self-esteem

Learn more about how dyslexia can affect social skills. And see how it all can play out for kids and adults:

• A day in the life of a child with dyslexia
• A day in the life of employee with dyslexia