Growing, developing and learning are the facts of life for all children. Each day children are faced with many new concepts and various challenges. Can you imagine how it feels for a child to face not only new challenges life has, but to face these challenges while living with a learning disability? These challenges are met not just when they begin school either. Students suffer from learning disabilities from the moment they begin learning, not when they start school. Learning disabilities are real and they affect millions of people. "One such disability that affects over approximately 15 percent of the total American population is dyslexia" ( Nosek 5). .

             We will discuss the following issues and areas surrounding dyslexia:.

              What is dyslexia? .

              Causes of dyslexia.

              Two different terms to describe dyslexia.

              Characteristics of someone with dyslexia.

              The learning process.

              Three areas that are affected by the disability.

              Focusing and behavior.

              Misconceptions about dyslexia.

              Seeking help through organizations.

             What exactly is dyslexia? "The word dyslexia is derived from the Greek "dys" meaning poor or inadequate and "lexis" meaning language. Dyslexia is a learning disability characterized by problems in expressive or receptive, oral or written language"(Wilkins URL). Simply put, dyslexia means trouble with reading, writing, and spelling. Dyslexia is not stupidity, laziness, lack of interest, or anything to be ashamed of. Dyslexia is not a disease; it has no cure and it will not go away. It knows no age, gender, or class boundaries. "There is a significant disproportion between the sexes, however. The proportions of male to female dyslexics are 3 to 1. Dyslexia can also be compared to amnesia because it is selective" (Bakker 23). Some experts use the term specific learning disability instead of dyslexia".