Dyslexia Resources
The Tragedy of Reading Failure, DSM-5 definition of dyslexia, Human Rights investigations in Canada, dyslexia warning signs, and additional resources.
"The tragedy here is that most reading failure is unnecessary."
- Dr. Louisa C. Moats
DSM-5 Definition of Dyslexia
According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), dyslexia is an "alternative term used to refer to a pattern of learning difficulties characterized by problems with accurate or fluent word recognition, poor decoding, and poor spelling abilities."
Dyslexia falls under the category of a Specific Learning Disability in reading.
Dyslexia (as well as other specific learning disabilities) will either be mild, moderate, or severe.
The intervention system used at Habermehl Reading is designed to support all people with dyslexia regardless of whether they are classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
Ontario Human Rights Commission Right to Read Report
In October 2019, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) launched a year-long public inquiry to investigate how students with dyslexia may be facing systemic human rights violations in Ontario public schools.
The OHRC Right to Read report was released on February 28, 2022.
Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission-
Students with Reading Disabilities
Students with Reading Disabilities
In September 2023, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission issued a report entitled, "Equitable Education for Students with Reading Disabilities in Saskatchewan's K to 12 Schools: A Systemic Investigation Report."
This report is a response to the investigation that took place following a group complaint on behalf of 29 families in June 2020 with concerns that their children, who had all received a professional diagnosis of dyslexia, were discriminated against on the basis of disability within their respective school divisions. The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018, prohibits discrimination based on a number of personal characteristics, including disability.
The families expressed their desire for a systemic investigation into the identification, treatment, and accommodation of students with reading disabilities in Saskatchewan.
To learn more about this investigation and the report, click the link below.
Additional Resources
Bright Solutions for Dyslexia
To learn more about dyslexia, check out the resources, videos, and links on the Bright Solutions for Dyslexia website.
Warning Signs*
There are many warning signs indicating that a person might have dyslexia. Many of these signs are present before a child starts reading. Click the link below to see a list of common symptoms. If you or your child have 3 or more of these symptoms, I encourage you to learn more about dyslexia.
*Warning Signs reprinted with prior permission from Susan Barton.
Books for Parents
Overcoming Dyslexia
by Sally Shaywitz
Overcoming Dyslexia has had a profound impact on my own understanding of dyslexia. I encourage people to start here regardless of where they are on their journey with learning about dyslexia.