Frequently Asked Questions and Resources

The word dyslexia comes from two Greek words: dys which means "difficulty with" and lexia which means "language". The dyslexic individual has challenges wit spelling, reading written language and sometimes with math and spoken language.

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.

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These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

Typical characteristics of dyslexia or a specific learning disability in reading:

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• Difficulty saying the alphabet correctly in sequence

• Difficulty forming the shapes of the letters

• Difficulty writing the alphabet correctly in sequence

• Errors in naming letters

• Reversals of orientation of letters or sequences of letters in words when read or written:

  • e - g, b - d, was - saw, quite - quiet

• Difficulty in learning and remembering printed words

• Repeated spelling errors

• Difficulty with handwriting

• Slow rate of writing

• Difficulty with reading comprehension

Fifteen (15) to twenty (20) percent of the population has some degree of dyslexia. This is more than all other learning disabilities combined. 

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A person with mild dyslexia may get through life with few problems, perhaps being a little late in learning to talk and having moderate problems with learning to read and spell. Those with mild to moderate dyslexia often are not diagnosed until they reach high school or college (or even graduate school). 

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An individual with severe dyslexia has an obvious problem with language from an early age. These are the children who are most likely to be diagnosed early due to the severity of their symptoms.

There are many famous people who have dyslexia.

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• Albert Einstein

• Thomas Alva Edison

• Robin Williams 

• Tom Cruise

• Galileo

• Beethoven

• Dwight D. Eisenhower

• Isaac Newton

• Herman Melville

• President George Bush

• Robert Kennedy

For a more comprehensive list check out this article.

1. CONSULT your child's home school district for testing

2. Get a DIAGNOSIS from a school psychologist, clinical psychologist, or a medical doctor trained to diagnose specific learning disabilities.

3. SUBMIT an application to Compass Reading Center and attach testing results. Click here to download an application.

Talk to your child's school first. Read about dyslexia. We have listed books and web sites that we recommend in the FAQ section below on this page. 

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A formal evaluation by trained professionals must be conducted to diagnose dyslexia. Sometimes a child's school is able to conduct the necessary testing, and sometimes testing needs to be done by outside specialists (at a hospital or through a clinical psychologist). Organizations such as the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) can help locate a specialist in your area.

Yes, applications are placed on a  waiting list without regard for ethnicity, gender, religious or financial considerations.

Tutoring takes place at 4701 Old Zuck Road in a state of the art secure facility with a parent waiting room.