Types of Dyslexia and Overlapping Disorders — and How to Get Help

When you have dyslexia, your brain handles language differently. The symptoms of dyslexia aren’t the same in every person with the condition. There are different types of dyslexia — and possibly different subtypes as well. 

Here, we’ll explore what is known about different kinds of dyslexia, as well as which other learning disabilities overlap with dyslexia. And we’ll share some tips, so you can get help if you or someone you care for has dyslexia.

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disability that makes it more difficult to read. People with dyslexia have a neurological difference in how the brain processes language. The condition can also interfere with other language skills, like writing, spelling, and saying certain words. 

But dyslexia affects more than just your ability to read. Many adults with dyslexia still experience symptoms even after overcoming reading challenges in childhood. For example, dyslexia can lead to trouble remembering names or facts or difficulty with time-management skills. 

Even though dyslexia is a brain-based condition, it’s not related to intelligence. People with dyslexia tend to be creative, out-of-the box thinkers with unique strengths. 

What are the different types of dyslexia?

The two main types of dyslexia are developmental and acquired dyslexia. Both types lead to difficulty with reading. But they have different causes and show up at different stages in life. 

Developmental 

A person with developmental dyslexia is born with it. Developmental dyslexia is caused by changes in the way the brain develops. Genetics play a role. If a parent has dyslexia, a child has a 40% to 60% chance of having dyslexia too.

Developmental dyslexia is a lifelong condition, regardless of when it’s diagnosed. Some children are diagnosed early, and some people are diagnosed as an adult (after struggling to read as a child).

Acquired

Acquired dyslexia (sometimes called trauma dyslexia or alexia) is a type of dyslexia that happens later in life. It involves the loss of reading or language skills — usually because of a brain injury or an illness. 

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For example, head trauma from a car accident could lead to acquired dyslexia. It could also be caused by a stroke or dementia. In these cases, some people can recover from acquired dyslexia and regain their reading skills through rehabilitation. 

What are the different subtypes of dyslexia?

There are varying opinions about whether or not different subtypes of dyslexia exist. Some argue that dyslexia symptoms fall on a spectrum — meaning some people will have more of one symptom than another. But researchers have found that damage to different parts of the brain is linked to different kinds of deficits in acquired dyslexia. Each of these deficits can be thought of as a subtype of dyslexia. It’s not clear if developmental dyslexia can also be broken down into the same subtypes. 

While there isn’t an established number of subtypes, we’ve included a list of four types that are commonly referred to.

Surface or visual

The first type is called surface dyslexia or dyseidetic dyslexia. People with this type of dyslexia have trouble reading words that are spelled differently from how they’re pronounced (like “colonel,” “yacht,” or “borough”). 

Sometimes surface dyslexia is also called visual dyslexia because people with this type have trouble recognizing words when they see them.

This type of dyslexia can also make it harder to memorize whole words when there aren’t clear rules for spelling. For instance, if someone with this type of dyslexia memorizes how to say “mint,” and they use that sound as the model for how to pronounce “pint,” the rule won’t apply.

Phonological

People with phonological dyslexia — the most common type of dyslexia — have trouble breaking down words into smaller sounds. They aren’t able to easily sound out unfamiliar words, the way that many people are taught to read. This can also cause trouble with rhyming. 

Rapid automatized naming

Another possible type of dyslexia is called rapid automatized naming (RAN) dyslexia. People with this type of dyslexia have trouble quickly naming things, like letters, colors, numbers, and shapes. Since it can take longer to identify the word they’re looking for, people with this type of dyslexia often will point at an object instead of naming it. Or they might use general terms to refer to an object, like “thingamajig.”

Trouble with RAN is one of the most common symptoms of dyslexia. It’s considered a hallmark of developmental dyslexia. So, it’s not clear if this is truly a unique subtype. 

Double deficit

It’s common for people to have multiple types of dyslexia at the same time. Double deficit dyslexia is often used to describe a person who has two types of dyslexia. Phonological and RAN dyslexia are the two types that happen together the most often.

What learning disabilities overlap with dyslexia?

There are several different learning disabilities that can overlap with dyslexia. If you have dyslexia, you’re more likely to also have one of the learning disabilities below. 

Dysgraphia

People with dysgraphia have difficulty writing. They may have trouble writing down letters and spacing out letters. Or they may have trouble writing clearly enough so that others can read their handwriting. Their grammar and spelling might also be affected. 

There isn’t a lot of scientific research on how often dyslexia and dysgraphia overlap. One study looked at about 670 students aged 11 to 17 years in public and private schools. Researchers found that 30% of the students with dyslexia also had dysgraphia.

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a learning disability that makes it hard to understand number-based information and math. It’s estimated that around 40% of people with dyslexia will also have dyscalculia. 

Auditory processing disorder

Auditory processing disorder (APD) makes it hard for a person to understand speech. This is because they don’t hear the slight differences between sounds in words that are similar. Sometimes people with APD also have dyslexia. One study of about 130 school-aged children found that 25% of them had both APD and dyslexia.

ADHD

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is also seen in people who are diagnosed with dyslexia. It’s estimated that about 30% of people with dyslexia also have ADHD.

How to get help for dyslexia

If you, your child, or someone you love is diagnosed with dyslexia, there are places you can find help. Groups like the International Dyslexia Association and the Dyslexia Resource Center have online resources, including educational information for children and adults. You may also consider joining an in-person or online support group.

For children who have been diagnosed with dyslexia, you can take steps with their school and at home to help them manage it. These include:

• Developing an individualized education plan (IEP): This type of plan ensures that your child is receiving any necessary accommodations, such as extra time or tutoring based on their needs. 

• Practicing at home: Reading with your child can help build their confidence. And encouraging your child to read aloud can help them focus on one word at a time and start to feel more comfortable. Their teacher or a speech-language pathologist may also provide helpful exercises that they can do at home.

• Using a structured, multisensory approach to reading: This approach combines reading, speaking, and listening with tactile methods. For example, your child could try tracing the letters in a word while sounding it out. That’s one part of the Orton-Gillingham method, a popular multisensory approach to reading instruction for people with dyslexia.

In addition to these resources, friends and family can be a source of support. So, don’t be afraid to call up someone you love and talk to them honestly about your experience with dyslexia. Sometimes just opening up to someone about your journey can make it feel less stressful.

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Written by:

Cherilyn Davis, MD

Cherilyn Davis, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician in New York City. She has held local and national roles at the American Medical Women’s Association including board member of the physician division and physician chair of social media.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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