What is dyslexia primarily classified as?

Dyslexia is primarily classified as a learning disorder that specifically affects reading ability. It involves difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and it is often associated with phonological processing issues—the ability to identify and manipulate the sounds in spoken words. This impairment can lead to challenges in reading comprehension and can impact spelling and writing skills as well.

The focus on reading ability is crucial, as dyslexia does not relate to overall intelligence or general cognitive functioning; rather, it is a specific difficulty in decoding written text. Understanding this distinction is important as it helps to identify the needs of individuals with dyslexia and tailor intervention strategies to support their learning effectively.

Other options, such as a speech production disorder, visual impairment, or a general cognitive disability, do not accurately capture the specific nature of dyslexia, which centers around the challenges associated with reading and language processing.