PolicyBrief
H.RES. 821
119th CongressOct 17th 2025
Expressing support for the recognition of October 2025 as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month".
IN COMMITTEE

This resolution expresses Congressional support for recognizing October 2025 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month to highlight the importance of early identification and support for individuals with dyslexia.

Bruce Westerman
R

Bruce Westerman

Representative

AR-4

LEGISLATION

Congress Backs October 2025 Dyslexia Awareness Month: Defining the Learning Disability and Pushing for Early Screening

This resolution is Congress basically saying, "Hey, we need to talk about dyslexia." It’s a non-binding resolution that officially expresses support for designating October 2025 as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month." The real meat of the resolution, though, is how it formally defines dyslexia and calls out the need for better awareness and action in education.

The Straight Facts on Dyslexia

The resolution starts by defining dyslexia not as a lack of intelligence, but as a surprising struggle to read in someone who is otherwise smart. It specifies that this difficulty usually stems from trouble processing the sound components of language, which affects speaking, reading, and spelling. This isn't some niche issue; the resolution notes that dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting as many as one in five people and accounting for 80 to 90 percent of all learning disabilities. This formal recognition validates the experience of millions of people who often feel misunderstood.

Why This Matters for Your Kid's Classroom

For parents and educators, the resolution emphasizes a critical timeline: the gap between typical readers and those with dyslexia starts showing up as early as first grade. Because of this, the text stresses that early screening and diagnosis are absolutely crucial. Think of it like this: if you catch it early, a student gets the specific, proven help they need—like specialized reading instruction—before they fall permanently behind. This early intervention is the difference between a kid struggling and losing confidence for years, and a kid getting the support they need to succeed academically and professionally.

The Call to Action for Education Systems

While this resolution doesn't mandate new funding or programs, it acts as a strong signal to educational bodies across the country. The House of Representatives is officially calling on Congress, schools, and state and local education departments to acknowledge that dyslexia has major educational consequences and that these must be addressed. For the busy professional who might be managing a team or running a small business, this awareness push is important because it means future employees and colleagues—the current students—will hopefully receive better foundational skills and support, allowing their strong reasoning and critical thinking skills (which the resolution notes are common among people with dyslexia) to shine through.