| Prevalence |
Between 5% and 15% of school-age children in the United States are estimated to have this disorder. |
| Onset |
Symptoms of specific learning disorder and its diagnosis typically occur in elementary school, when the relevant academic skills are needed. |
| Comorbidity |
Common comorbid disorders include depressive disorders and attention--deficit/hyper-activity disorder. |
| Course |
With early identification and intervention, some children with dyslexia can overcome their difficulties; for others, difficulties in reading fluency, comprehension, and spelling may persist into adulthood. |
| Gender Differences |
Between 60% and 75% of people with dyslexia are male; however, it may be that males are more likely to be diagnosed because of their disruptive behavior, which calls attention to their difficulties. |
| Cultural Differences |
In the United States, Hispanic children are least likely to be diagnosed with a learning disorder, perhaps because language barriers make it more difficult to diagnose (Boyle et al., 2011). |
| Source: Unless otherwise noted, the source for information is American Psychiatric Association, 2013. |