Dyslexia is a very frightening condition for two reasons: one, there is no known cause, and two, there is no cure. As human beings, the ability to rationalize is very important. We are intelligent creatures and understanding why something occurs is crucial to our mental foundation. Yet, when it comes to dyslexia, we have to figure out why it occurs.

The same can be said for the cure, except there is no cure. Can you imagine having a condition that makes it difficult for you to live your day-to-day life and have a doctor tell you there is no cure for it? Quite frightening right?

However, even though we do not know what causes dyslexia and we also have no known cure to date, it does not mean that the future is all bleak. There is another important aspect of human nature that drives us: understanding. There is a lot we do know about dyslexia, and there is hope that we will add a lot more to this list shortly.

What is Dyslexia? 

Dyslexia affects the different regions of the brain that processes language. A dyslexic person’s brain processes and distributes different chemical conversions compared to the brain of a person who is not dyslexic. 

Due to these differences, people with dyslexia have difficulty reading. This is due to failure in the left hemisphere of their brain, which should be active while they read. This will, in turn, make it difficult for dyslexic people to fully comprehend speech sounds and how they relate to words.

Dyslexia is best described as a learning disorder that involves problems in reading due to difficulties identifying phonetics and relating it to written words and letters. 

When little was known about this learning disorder, people with dyslexia were often made fun of because of their inability to read well. Due to extensive research and examination, we know now that dyslexic people are highly intelligent but they do not learn the same way as those around them. 

How Many People Does Dyslexia Affect?

Dyslexia is more common than you might think. It is said to be one of the most common language-based learning disabilities. If a child is having trouble reading, then one of the first tests they will be given is one for dyslexia. 

Dyslexia is also one of the most common causes of writing, spelling, and reading difficulties. 

• More than 70% of people with learning disabilities have been found to have some form of dyslexia.
• Around 5-10% of the population has some form of dyslexia.

 What Causes Dyslexia?

Unfortunately, the exact cause/causes of dyslexia are still not fully known. What we do know, is that two types of dyslexia are known.

1. Acquired Dyslexia: This type of dyslexia is caused by ear infections early on in a child’s life which causes them to have hearing problems. The ability to not hear well will then affect their abilities to tie together sounds and words.
2. Developmental Dyslexia: This type of dyslexia is caused by, as the name hints at, developmental factors. 

Although there is no definite answer as to what causes dyslexia, we do know that it is caused by neurological abnormalities in the brain. 

Why Is There No Cure? 

Although natural supplements such as CBD oil is showing promising results, there is no cure as of date for dyslexia because dyslexia is not a disease. Also, the components as to why it exists are still very foggy. However, many treatments have been deemed helpful for those with dyslexia. 

What About Treatments? 

Although dyslexia cannot be cured, it does not mean that there are not many programs available to help manage it. Many schools offer reading programs to help dyslexic students, and many students benefit from these programs. 

Having dyslexia does not mean that you will never learn how to read properly, it just means you have to learn differently. 

To find out more about these programs, please talk to your school’s administration board or research organizations that specialize in dyslexia in your area. 

FAQs 

• Is it true that dyslexia runs in the family?
  • Yes. However, it does not mean that if a family member has dyslexia that you will get it as well. It does seem to be “passed on” but it is not a guarantee. There are cases of people who develop dyslexia while no known members of their family have. However, many people have mild forms of dyslexia that would be hard to diagnose while others have not been tested so they would not know. 
• What are some early signs of dyslexia?
  • Reversing letters and numbers past the age of 7 
  • Showing signs of discomfort when playing organized games
  • In a written speech, they will leave out words completely. The same can be said for reading or speaking.
  • Difficulties remembering words, especially ones they have just read.
  • Difficulty telling time
• Are boys or girls more likely to have dyslexia? 
  • There is a debate on whether or not that is true. Boys seem to be diagnosed more but it does not mean that their numbers are higher. 
• Does dyslexia only affect English speakers?
  • No, dyslexia is not exclusive to English speakers. It can be found in people all around the world.

• Why are there more dyslexic people today than there was in the past?
  • There is not. This is a common misconception because more cases have been reported due to advanced studies; more people have been tested. In the past, those with dyslexia would not know that they have it which makes it both frustrating for them and those around them.

In Conclusion

While dyslexia is a condition with no cure, there has been so much progress when it comes to learning more about the condition. People living with dyslexia struggle less now than they would have ten, even five years ago. 

If you are someone you know has been diagnosed with dyslexia, there is no reason to fear. Aside from on-site organizations, there are a variety of books, articles, and specialists that will be able to help you.