Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting approximately 1 in 5 people, or 15-20% of the population. About 70-85% of children who are placed in special education for learning disabilities are dyslexic.
Dyslexia is neurological in origin. Individuals with dyslexia have difficulty in the areas of language processing, specifically a localized weakness within the phonologic module of the brain (where sounds of language are put together to form words or break words down, and to convert letters and words into sounds and speech).
Dyslexia has been linked to certain genes that control how the brain develops. It is thought that people with dyslexia use only the right side of the brain to process language, while non-dyslexics use three areas on the left side of the brain to process language.
It appears to be an inherited condition that runs in families. Children have a 50% chance of having dyslexia if one parent has it, and a 100% chance if both parents have it.
People with dyslexia are usually more creative and often have an average to above average level of intelligence.
Dyslexia ranges from mild to severe. Around 40% of people with dyslexia also have ADHD. Those with dyslexia use about 5 times more energy to complete some mental tasks.