Prevalence of Undiagnosed Dyslexia in African-Americn Primary School Children

Laura Cassidy • December 8, 2023

Dyslexia is among the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children, yet despite its high prevalence all too frequently goes undiagnosed. Consequently dyslexic children all too often fail to receive effective reading interventions. Here we report our findings from a study using a teacher completed evidence-based dyslexia screener to first screen then test predominantly African-American children in grades kindergarten through second grade in two inner city public charter schools in New Orleans. Almost half (49.2%) of the children screened as at risk for dyslexia and of these the majority were found to be dyslexic on more detailed testing. Our results suggest that large numbers of African-American students with dyslexia may be overlooked in schools.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Episode 22: Understanding Literacy Screeners for Dyslexia: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know

By Nicole Armstrong • July 24, 2025

When a child struggles to read, the reason isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, even parents and teachers can’t quite pinpoint why . That’s why early literacy screeners, especially those that can identify dyslexia are so critical. In this episode of the Voices of Dyslexia podcast, Dr. Laura Cassidy of the Dyslexia Resource Center dives deep into how literacy screeners work, what they’re really assessing, and how parents and educators can use this information to change a child’s educational trajectory.

Episode 21: Why Reading Out Loud Matters for Dyslexic Students

By Nicole Armstrong • May 21, 2025

Reading out loud can be one of the most intimidating tasks for a dyslexic child—and one of the most avoided. But according to Dr. Laura Cassidy, Board Chair of the Dyslexia Resource Center and Louisiana Key Academy, it’s also one of the most important. In our most recent episode, Dr. Cassidy dives into why this practice, though often frustrating, plays a critical role in helping children with dyslexia improve their reading skills.

Episode 20: The Importance of Dyslexia Testing

By Nicole Armstrong • March 18, 2025

In this third and final episode of our interview series with Dr. Laura Cassidy and Drs. Sally and Bennett Shaywitz, we dive deep into the importance of proper dyslexia testing, the distinction between screening and diagnostic assessments, and why early identification can change the trajectory of a child’s life.