October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

I wrote Dyslexia’s Competitive Edge a book for adults with dyslexia. I wrote the book for my son, who was in junior high, and was told his dream was too big. The comment sparked the book.

Since the book’s release, dyslexia awareness has increased with new organizations focused on help both students and adults with dyslexia. In addition to the growing awareness, new technologies available help mitigate challenges related to reading and writing.

So, for Dyslexia Awareness Month, I’m sharing a few key facts and links to leading dyslexia organizations that offer information and recourses to teachers, parents, and adults.

Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that can interfere with a person’s ability to learn how to read, write, and pronounce words. Between 10 – 20 percent of the population has dyslexia which can be hereditary and tends to run in families. So, if you know someone in your family with dyslexia, chances a close relative has dyslexia too.

However, regardless of the challenges dyslexia presents for individuals it is important to note that it does not impact a person’s intelligence.

Another interesting fact is the connection between dyslexia and entrepreneurship. Professor Julie Logan at the Cass School of Business in London discovered from her research that 30% of entrepreneurs and business owners she surveyed self-identified as having dyslexia. Richard Branson is the most well-known business owner with dyslexia.

To learn more about dyslexia or to find information on how to help your child, the organizations listed below offer resources for parents and adults.

International Dyslexia Association

https://dyslexiaida.org/

Dyslexia Advantage

https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/

Succeed with Dyslexia

https://www.succeedwithdyslexia.org/

University of Michigan

https://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/

Decoding Dyslexia

https://www.decodingdyslexia.net/