What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and / or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.

Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

This definition was adopted by the IDA Board of Directors on Nov 12, 2002 and is included in Chapter 14 of Title 6A of the New Jersey Administrative Code.

Click to learn more about the Early Warning Signs of Dyslexia.

Brain imaging research has revealed anatomical and functional differences in typically developing readers and in children and adults with dyslexia.


Image from the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity (www.dyslexia.yale.edu)

Click to learn more about Dyslexia and the Brain.

Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Email Newsletter
For Email Marketing you can trust

Follow DD-NJ!

Teaching them HOW to read would be a good first step! ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
ATTN NJ Families and Educators: Share this new research brief with your local librarians "Engaging Communities in Equity-Centered Research: Librarians as Partners in the Science of Reading" It presents a great opportunity to encourage your librarians to learn about the Science of Reading in order to inform their youth services. Download at fcrr.org/sites/g/files/upcbnu2836/files/media/PDFs/village/briefs/BNB%20Research%20Brief.pdfIf you have a library interested to dive deeper into the SoR, let us know if you need help finding them resources to get started! ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Sharing again -- this study is ongoing through the spring so do your part for science 😉 ! ATTN Individuals with Dyslexia - Ages 18-35: Rutgers University Newark is conducting a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Study looking at the Brain Basis of Reading. PAID Volunteers are needed. Visit [rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_6PEyKQHMVwBTg8K…](t.co/hpD6uoWo2s) to see if you are eligible. TY! ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
ATTN NJ Families! Don't miss next week's free online workshop on NJ Tiered Systems of Supports - Early Reading. On Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 7 - 8 PM EDT, SPAN will present a webinar titled, "Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences: Discussing Early Reading."This important webinar will highlight the key predictive reading skills for students in kindergarten through grade 3 and will share ways to effectively communicate with teachers around your child's early reading skills development.Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences: Discussing Early ReadingThursday, November 2, 2023; 7 - 8 PM EDTREGISTER NOW: spanadvocacy-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsdeqtrTopHdI3e1rg7-jvhpktQ-J12OpB#/registrationAlso, help us spread the word... families will benefit from the information presented! ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Timeline photosFree virtual event for educators and parents! Join us on Tuesday, October 24 at 7 p.m. ET for the 2023 Fall Community Lecture with featured speaker Amy Margolis, PhD, presenting "Psychological Components of Reading Disabilities: Novel Interventions to Address Anxiety and Executive Functioning".Registration is required: bit.ly/453eXpH ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Check us out on Instagram!