Resolution Calls for Recognition of Dyslexia as Most Common Learning Disability, Designates October 2025 Awareness Month

This resolution is a formal statement acknowledging the significant educational implications of dyslexia. It doesn't write new laws or mandate funding, but it serves as a powerful declaration, essentially putting Congress and state education agencies on notice about the scale of this issue. It defines dyslexia as the most common learning disability, affecting a massive 80 to 90 percent of all individuals with learning disabilities, and estimates that as many as one in five people overall are affected.

The resolution is clear about the nature of dyslexia: it’s an unexpected difficulty in reading for people who are otherwise intelligent. The core issue is often trouble with phonological processing—the ability to recognize and use the sound structure of language—which impacts reading, spelling, and speaking. This is the paradox of dyslexia: a person can struggle with basic decoding while simultaneously having strengths in high-level skills like critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving. Think of it as having a super-fast analytical engine but a faulty keyboard.

Why This Matters for Parents and Workers

For parents, especially those with kids entering elementary school, this resolution reinforces the critical need for early action. It strongly emphasizes that the achievement gap between typical readers and those with dyslexia starts as early as first grade. The entire text pushes for early screening, diagnosis, and evidence-based intervention. In plain terms, this means schools need to be looking for signs early, and when they find them, they need to use proven methods—not just general tutoring—to help kids achieve fluent reading.

The Call for Institutional Awareness

The resolution calls on Congress, schools, and state and local educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that demand action. While it’s a non-binding resolution—meaning no one is legally required to spend money or implement a new program—it creates a formal legislative record and applies pressure. It validates the experiences of millions of people who struggle with reading but excel in other areas, like the engineer who designs complex systems but needs extra time to read a lengthy technical manual, or the construction manager who can visualize an entire project but struggles with written reports.

Finally, to boost public understanding, the resolution designates October 2025 as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month." This is a simple but effective tool for advocacy groups and educators to raise the profile of the issue, ensuring that more people—from parents to employers—understand that dyslexia is common, manageable, and not a measure of intelligence.