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Understanding Dyslexia vs. Poor First Instruction in Reading

Updated: Oct 16


Dyslexia and poor first instruction in reading are two factors that can affect a person's ability to read and comprehend text. While they may exhibit similar struggles in reading, it's crucial to distinguish between them to provide appropriate support and interventions. This post aims to shed light on the differences between dyslexia and poor first instruction, enabling a better understanding of these challenges.


Defining Dyslexia:


Dyslexia is a neurological condition characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. It's important to remember that dyslexia is a lifelong condition, and it often runs in families. Dyslexic individuals might experience difficulties in various aspects of reading, including phonological processing, working memory, and rapid automatized naming.






Identifying Poor First Instruction:

Poor first instruction in reading, on the other hand, refers to a lack of appropriate teaching or guidance during a child's early stages of reading development. This is not a neurological condition but rather a consequence of inadequate or inappropriate instruction. When students receive poor first instruction, it can hinder their ability to grasp the fundamentals of reading, leading to difficulties in reading fluency, comprehension, and overall literacy.




Distinguishing Between the Two:

  • Root Cause:

    • Dyslexia is a neurobiological condition with a genetic basis.

    • Poor first instruction is a result of inadequate or improper teaching methods.

  • Lifelong vs. Reversible:

    • Dyslexia is a lifelong condition that persists into adulthood.

    • Poor first instruction can be addressed and improved with effective remediation.

  • Family History:

    • Dyslexia often runs in families, indicating a genetic component.

    • Poor first instruction is not linked to family history but rather to educational practices.

  • Response to Intervention:

    • Dyslexic individuals may require specialized interventions and accommodations to manage their reading difficulties.

    • Poor first instruction can be remedied with improved teaching methods, and affected individuals often show progress with appropriate instruction.




Understanding the differences between dyslexia and poor first instruction is crucial for ensuring that individuals who struggle with reading receive the right support. Dyslexia is a lifelong neurological condition, while poor first instruction is a result of educational shortcomings that can be addressed. Accurate diagnosis and effective intervention for dyslexia and improved teaching methods for those affected by poor first instruction can significantly improve reading abilities and overall literacy skills. It is essential to advocate for early detection and intervention in cases of dyslexia and for high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction for all learners.


What do you do?

For dyslexia, it’s essential to provide instruction that follows the principles of the science of reading. This means using a systematic, explicit, and multi-sensory approach that helps students develop foundational reading skills like phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. All students benefit from instruction based on the science of reading, as it is grounded in evidence-based practices that improve literacy outcomes for learners of all levels, not just those with dyslexia.


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