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:
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Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Sheldon H. Horowitz, EdD is senior director of learning resources and research at the National Center for Learning Disabilities.