Skip to main content

Misconceptions About Dyslexia Common, Even Among Professionals

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 1, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Aug. 30, 2024 -- There is substantial variability in how professionals conceptualize and assess dyslexia, according to a study published online Aug. 29 in Annals of Dyslexia.

Johny Daniel, Ph.D., Ed.D., from Durham University in the United Kingdom, and colleagues explored practices of dyslexia identification in the United Kingdom based on a survey of 274 dyslexia professionals, including educational psychologists and dyslexia specialists. The authors queried the respondents on the types of assessments they employ, their approach to utilizing assessment data, their decision-making processes, and their conceptualization of dyslexia.

The researchers found substantial variability in how professionals conceptualize dyslexia, as well as variations in assessment methods. A significant proportion of the survey respondents believed one or more misconceptions regarding dyslexia, including most commonly that children with dyslexia read letters in reverse order.

"Our findings show that there is a need for government policy to guide how students with reading disabilities should be assessed, based on reliable evidence," Daniel said in a statement. "It's also important that dyslexia and psychological associations in the United Kingdom ensure that any misconceptions amongst professionals are directly addressed in their guidelines so that children are assessed in a consistent way across the board."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted August 2024

Read this next

School-Based Asthma Therapy Boosts Asthma Control, Cuts Acute Health Care Use

THURSDAY, April 24, 2025 -- School-based asthma therapy (SBAT) can help improve children’s asthma control and decrease acute health care utilization, according to a study...

Brensocatib Leads to Lower Rate of Pulmonary Exacerbations in Bronchiectasis

THURSDAY, April 24, 2025 -- For patients with bronchiectasis, brensocatib leads to a lower annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations, according to a study published in the April...

Cold Hypersensitivity, Heavy Leg Sensation Tied to Risk for Varicose Veins

THURSDAY, April 24, 2025 -- Cold hypersensitivity and a feeling of heaviness in the legs are linked to the presence of varicose veins in adults aged 30 years and older, according...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.