Dyslexia Center of the Shoals

10/10/2026

10/02/2026

New Dyslexia Definition, and if you have ever been told to "just wait," this one is for you. 💛

The definition of dyslexia has been updated, and three changes matter for families.

IQ tests are out. The old criteria required a 15-point gap between IQ and reading scores, so children who missed it by a single point could be denied support. Assessment should now focus on reading skills like accuracy and fluency.

The definition now reflects research across languages beyond English, so it better describes dyslexic learners everywhere.

Early identification is prioritized, too. Instead of waiting until second or third grade, the revision notes that language and literacy support in the early years is particularly effective, including when early signs like delayed speech appear. 🌱

If you were told to wait, or that your child came close but did not qualify, you were not imagining the gap. You were seeing something real. This update will not change district criteria overnight, but it gives you a credible, current reason to reopen the conversation. You were never being difficult. You were paying attention. 🤝

What is one question you would bring to your child's school team about this?

Read the full article: https://phys.org/news/2026-09-definition-dyslexia-years.html

DM to chat. I am here for you.

07/21/2026

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Phonemic awareness is the ability to notice, think about, and work with the individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. This includes blending sounds into words, segmenting words into sounds, and deleting and playing with the sounds in spoken words. Reading Rockets

https://www.readingrockets.org/reading-101/reading-101-learning-modules/course-modules/phonological-and-phonemic-awareness

04/29/2026