Surreal illustration of a brain intertwined with book pages and tangled roots, symbolizing dyslexia.

Dyslexia: More Than Just a Reading Problem—Why It's Considered a Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Soraya Malik in Mind & Education June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the science-backed reasons why dyslexia is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder, impacting not just reading but overall well-being and learning."

Dyslexia, characterized by persistent reading challenges, affects an estimated 3–7% of the population. But is it merely a reading difficulty, or is there more to the story? For years, experts have debated whether dyslexia should be classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Some argue that reading proficiency exists on a spectrum, and dyslexia is simply the lower end, arbitrarily separated from the rest. They suggest that observed brain differences are just individual variations in reading skill, much like differences in any cognitive ability. Others claim poor teaching methods cause dyslexia, implying it's not an inherent condition.

This article explores the arguments, research, and clinical implications behind classifying dyslexia as a neurodevelopmental disorder. By examining the harm and dysfunction associated with it, we aim to clarify why this classification is essential for effective intervention and support.

What Makes a Disorder? Harm and Dysfunction in Dyslexia

Surreal illustration of a brain intertwined with book pages and tangled roots, symbolizing dyslexia.

To understand why dyslexia is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, it's crucial to define what constitutes a 'disorder' in the first place. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a mental disorder involves clinically significant disturbances in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior. These disturbances reflect dysfunctions in psychological, biological, or developmental processes, causing distress or disability in social, occupational, or other important activities.

A condition must meet the criteria of both harm and dysfunction to be considered a disorder. In the context of dyslexia, 'harm' refers to the negative impact on an individual's quality of life, while 'dysfunction' relates to atypical neurodevelopmental processes affecting reading abilities.

Reading difficulties: Dyslexia leads to persistent reading difficulties that can limit educational and professional opportunities.
Socio-economic impact: Fluent reading is essential for socio-economic success in today's society.
Mental health: Children with dyslexia face increased stress and a higher risk of depression and anxiety.

Research shows that dyslexia significantly impacts quality of life, comparable to conditions like epilepsy and ADHD. This highlights the importance of early identification and intervention to mitigate these negative effects.

The Path Forward: A Neuroscience-Informed Perspective

Viewing dyslexia through a neuroscience lens has positive clinical and educational implications. It allows for a more precise clinical specification of dyslexia, going beyond just reading symptoms to identify underlying cognitive sub-skills and neural processes.

Neuroimaging research can also help predict responsiveness to treatment, offering insights into which interventions will be most effective for individual learners. This approach complements existing frameworks like Response to Intervention (RTI) by providing additional information about atypical neural development.

Ultimately, classifying dyslexia as a neurodevelopmental disorder emphasizes the importance of early identification and specialized intervention. It also paves the way for personalized support and a deeper understanding of individual differences in reading abilities, moving beyond a categorical model of disorders towards neuroscience-informed, multidimensional approaches.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3390/brainsci8100189, Alternate LINK

Title: Dyslexia As A Neurodevelopmental Disorder And What Makes It Different From A Chess Disorder

Subject: General Neuroscience

Journal: Brain Sciences

Publisher: MDPI AG

Authors: Gorka Fragagonzález, Iliana Karipidis, Jurgen Tijms

Published: 2018-10-19

Everything You Need To Know

Why is Dyslexia classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder?

Dyslexia is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder because it involves clinically significant disturbances in cognitive processes. These disturbances reflect dysfunctions in psychological, biological, or developmental processes. The presence of both harm, such as limitations in educational and professional opportunities, and dysfunction, specifically atypical neurodevelopmental processes impacting reading abilities, is what qualifies dyslexia as a disorder. This classification is crucial for effective intervention and support.

What kind of harm is associated with Dyslexia?

Dyslexia impacts various aspects of an individual's life, causing harm. It leads to persistent reading difficulties that limit educational and professional opportunities. Fluent reading is essential for socio-economic success, and dyslexia can hinder that. Furthermore, children with Dyslexia face increased stress and a higher risk of depression and anxiety. The impact on quality of life can be comparable to conditions like epilepsy and ADHD, underscoring the severity of the harm associated with Dyslexia.

Why is the classification of Dyslexia as a neurodevelopmental disorder significant?

The classification of Dyslexia as a neurodevelopmental disorder is significant because it highlights the underlying cognitive and neurological factors. This perspective allows for a more precise clinical specification, moving beyond just reading symptoms to identify underlying cognitive sub-skills and neural processes. Understanding Dyslexia through a neuroscience lens informs the development of more effective intervention strategies, which can improve outcomes for individuals with Dyslexia.

What criteria define a disorder according to the DSM-5?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is used to define what constitutes a 'disorder.' According to the DSM-5, a mental disorder involves clinically significant disturbances in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior. These disturbances reflect dysfunctions in psychological, biological, or developmental processes, causing distress or disability in social, occupational, or other important activities. A condition must meet the criteria of both harm and dysfunction to be considered a disorder.

How does a neuroscience-informed perspective on Dyslexia help?

Viewing Dyslexia through a neuroscience-informed perspective has positive implications. It allows for a more precise clinical specification of Dyslexia, going beyond just reading symptoms to identify underlying cognitive sub-skills and neural processes. This understanding enables the development of targeted interventions that address the specific cognitive challenges associated with Dyslexia. These interventions can improve reading abilities and mitigate the negative impacts on quality of life.