What Causes Dyslexia

Most Cases of Dyslexia Have Hereditary Links, But Not All

Developmental Dyslexia

We know that dyslexia runs in families. One can see dyslexia run through families over the course of many generations. If a child has one of the close relatives below with dyslexia, possibly undiagnosed, the child is at a much higher risk of having it also:

• A parent
• A brother or sister
• Aunt or Uncle
• Grandparent

Scientists have identified several genes that they believe are associated with dyslexia. However, there is no single gene or genetic test that can identify dyslexia currently in the year 2020.

Acquired Dyslexia

Dyslexia may be acquired after a person has learned to read as the result of a traumatic brain injury. Any injury to the brain affecting the parts of the brain used for reading may cause dyslexia such as:

• Physical brain injury
• Stroke
• Dementia