A Child's Struggle to Read

Dyslexia & Reading Problems

When a student struggles learning to read, it can be a frustrating time for both the child and parent. Educators, tutors and parents not familiar with the true nature of reading problems may further dampen spirits by their own frustration and lack of understanding.

Dyslexia is not a crisis, and certainly no reason for panic. Dyslexia simply means a person has difficulty learning to read despite intellectual, motivational and educational resources. The truth is, children with dyslexia are often bright; they only have more trouble learning to think in the ways reading requires all of us.

Even then, dyslexia is not an all-or-nothing diagnosis. In the struggle to read, some students face a much steeper challenge than others. "Dyslexia" or not, what we decide to call the struggle is immaterial. The reality of the challenge remains.

According to the National Institutes for Health, 20 to 30 percent of students will find reading the most difficult task of their life. How these children are taught to read is critical to their success.