What causes dyslexia?

There are a number of theories on what causes dyslexia. In the book Overcoming dyslexia: A new and complete science-based program for reading problems at any level, Shaywitz explains how "studies from around the world leave no doubt that dyslexic readers use different brain pathways than do good readers" (2004, p. 78).  This position complements that of the IDA which also states that "anatomical and brain imagery studies show differences in the way the brain of a dyslexic person develops and functions."  Shaywitz, asserts that for dyslexic readers there is an underactivation of neural pathways to the back of the brain which results in troubles with analysing words and transforming letters into sounds.

Studies show that dyslexia is inherited but at the moment no single gene for dyslexia has been identified. John Stein,  of the Dyslexia Research Trust states that "it is likely that there will be several important genes involved".

The IDA  emphasises that "dyslexia is not due to either lack of intelligence or desire to learn".

Key points

Dyslexia is:

• hereditary
• a difference in the way the brain works
• not due to lack of intelligence