Dyslexia- Facts and Statistics

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Dyslexia is a learning disorder which makes it difficult for children and adults to read and learn new words.
Facts and Statistics
  • It is estimated that 1 in 10 people have dyslexia
  • Over 40 million American Adults are dyslexic – and only 2 million know it
  • Dyslexia is not tied to IQ – Einstein was dyslexic and had an estimated IQ of 160
  • Dyslexia in not just about getting letters or numbers mixed up or out of order
  • 80% of people associate dyslexia with some form of retardation – this is not true
  • Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability or disorder that includes poor word reading, word decoding, oral reading fluency and spelling
  • Dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels
  • Dyslexia has nothing to do with not working hard enough
  • 20% of school-aged children in the US are dyslexic
  • With appropriate teaching methods, dyslexia can learn successfully
  • Over 50% of NASA employees are dyslexic
  • Dyslexia runs in families; parents with dyslexia are very likely to have children with dyslexia
  • Dyslexics may struggle with organizational skills, planning and prioritizing, keeping time, concentrating with background noise.

Prevalence

About 15-20 percent of the U.S. population has a learning disability.

  • 70-80% of people with poor reading skills, are likely dyslexic.
  • One in five students, or 15-20% of the population, has a language based learning disability. Dyslexia is the most common of the language based learning disabilities.
  • Nearly the same percentage of males and females have dyslexia.
  • Nearly the same percentage of people from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds have dyslexia.
  • Percentages of children at risk for reading failure are much higher in high poverty, language-minority populations who attend ineffective schools.
  • In minority and high poverty schools, 70-80% of children have inadequate reading skills.
  • According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 38% of all fourth grade students are “below basic” reading skills. They are at or below the 40th percentile for their age group.
  • Nationwide 20% of the elementary school population is struggling with reading.
  • National Center for Education statistics, 5% of all adults are “non-literate”.
  • 20-25% of all adults can only read at the lowest level.
  • 62% of non readers dropped out of high school.
  • 80% of children with an IEP have reading difficulty and 85% of those are Dyslexic.
  • 30% of children with Dyslexia also have at least a mild form of AD/HD.

 

Reference

Austin Learning Solutions

Dyslexia Center of Utah

Encyclopedia of Children’s Health 

 

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

3 thoughts on “Dyslexia- Facts and Statistics”

  1. Thank you for compiling such a comprehensive and eye-opening collection of dyslexia statistics. As an educator, I find the data point about 70-80% of struggling readers likely being dyslexic particularly striking—it underscores how crucial proper screening and intervention truly are. The NASA statistic (over 50% of employees being dyslexic) powerfully challenges misconceptions by showing how dyslexic thinking drives innovation in our most advanced fields.

    These numbers tell an important story: when we recognize neurodiversity as difference rather than deficit, we unlock potential. The socioeconomic breakdowns you’ve included add critical context—the overlap between poverty, ineffective schools, and reading struggles highlights systemic failures we must address.

    This resource would be invaluable for teacher trainings and parent advocacy groups. Might you consider creating an infographic version? Visualizing these statistics could make them even more impactful for awareness campaigns, especially during Dyslexia Awareness Month.

  2. This blog is a fantastic resource for raising awareness about dyslexia! The clear presentation of facts and statistics provides valuable insight into the challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia and highlights the importance of early intervention and support. It’s eye-opening to see how widespread dyslexia is and how understanding these numbers can help drive better educational strategies. Thank you for shedding light on this important topic and offering such an informative resource for educators, parents, and advocates!

  3. Pingback: National Barrier Awareness Day | Special Needs Resource and Training Blog

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