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Learning Differences in Reading and Writing

May 1, 2023

America has been celebrating Disability Pride Month every July ever since passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. Recognizing and celebrating individuals with disabilities should be an everyday, every-month practice, but we appreciate having a calendar month dedicated to this work—especially since helping kids with disabilities and learning differences is a big part of what we do here at One Minute Reader.


Specifically, our program supports kids who struggle with reading. Many kids have difficulty in this area, but general descriptions do not necessarily point parents toward the specific support they need. When parents and teachers understand what, specifically, is causing challenges, they can proceed with a targeted intervention. Sometimes, kids struggle but do not have an identified disability or learning difference. Other times, there is an underlying disability such as dyslexia at play. Kids in both groups have the ability to become confident and skillful readers.

So, what are the most common learning differences in reading and writing? Below you will find descriptions of the types of deficits that may require targeted intervention. This content is paraphrased from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Please note that “deficits,” “disabilities,” and “disorders,” are all used to describe these learning differences. We are sensitive to the fact that people have different preferences for this terminology, so please substitute the words that feel most respectful and appropriate to you.


Word Recognition Deficits/Dyslexia

Kids who have difficulty reading despite instruction but who do not have coexisting neurological differences may have word recognition deficits. This is also called dyslexia. A person with word recognition deficits may have difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and poor spelling.


Reading Comprehension Deficits/Hyperlexia

Reading comprehension deficits are sometimes referred to as hyperlexia. Individuals with this learning difference have problems in listening and reading comprehension. They struggle with word recognition skills; reading fluency; and social, cognitive, or linguistic skills.


Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia refers to difficulty with writing. Two common forms of dysgraphia include the following:

  • Writing Process Deficits
    Writing process deficits are problems with the cognitive–linguistic aspects of writing. This involves difficulty with planning, drafting, reflecting on writing, revising, editing, and discourse.
  • Writing Product Deficits
    Writing product deficits involve difficulty organizing and adequately expressing thoughts in writing; difficulty constructing grammatically correct sentences; limited written fluency; syntactic problems; word choice limitations; and numerous words spelled incorrectly.


Spelling Deficits/Dysorthography

Deficits in spelling are sometimes called dysorthography. Such deficits involve difficulty with encoding phonological information. Spelling deficits include difficulty representing the phonological structure of regularly spelled words; difficulty remembering and reproducing the patterns of irregularly spelled words; lack of morphemic awareness in spelling; and difficulty spelling words correctly in sentences.


Spoken and Written Language Deficits

Deficits in spoken and written language may be referred to as an oral and written language learning disability. This may result in difficulty pronouncing complex words; reading fluency; word recognition/decoding; spelling; and language comprehension.


Realizing just how many learning differences in reading and writing exist and what they are is the first step toward helping kids overcome these challenges. The ASHA website is a wonderful resource for specific assessment and intervention information. One Minute Reader is designed to help kids with learning differences overcome their challenges. Click here for more information on this research-based program.

Highlighted Posts

Get our Child Reading at Grade Level with One Minute Reader
By Madeline Waters February 9, 2026
Boost your child’s reading skills and confidence with One Minute Reader. This evidence-based reading program helps kids read at grade level through engaging nonfiction, fluency practice, and progress tracking—perfect for parents seeking proven reading intervention at home.
By Anne Hauth January 13, 2026
Valentine’s Day, a holiday about love, seems to instead fill a large portion of the population with dread. If romance isn’t your thing, you feel doomed. If you’re unpartnered, you feel left out. If you’re a teacher, you’re bracing yourself for a day of mayhem and over-sugared students. And if you’re a parent of school-aged children, your living space is suddenly littered with dozens of valentines your children need to address. Does anyone actually love this holiday? Perhaps those of us working with struggling readers can reclaim it. After all, the written word is central to many of the ways we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Here are some Valentine’s Day-themed literacy ideas parents can do with their kids leading up to the holiday: Have kids write a “love letter” to their favorite book or One Minute Reader story. In the letter, they should explore how the book/story relates to their own life and why it is meaningful to them. Require kids to use their school spelling words, challenging vocabulary words, or words from One Minute Reader stories as they write valentines to friends and family. Have kids use candy conversation hearts as starting points for thinking about and creating sentences. For example, how could a heart that says “Be Mine” be turned into a question or a declarative sentence? Explore the genre of poetry and teach kids about simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, and rhyme. You could even read a few Shakespearean Sonnets together—it’s never too early! Allow kids to eat a treat and then think of five or more adjectives to describe it. The Internet is full of Valentine’s Day-themed printables, worksheets, and projects , such as word finds and puzzles. Or, design your own incorporating the words your students are currently studying. And of course, read plenty of feel-good and Valentine’s Day-themed books aloud to your kids, followed by meaningful discussion about the books' vocabulary and themes. We can also encourage parents to reframe how they think about all the valentines littering their homes, waiting to be addressed. Are they a tedious chore? Or do they provide SO MUCH reading and writing practice? (I’ll admit, I might need this reminder.) If you have any ideas to add to our list, we’d love to hear them. We’ll be thinking of you and your kids with great admiration leading up to Valentine's Day, and always!
By Anne Hauth December 30, 2025
Regardless of where kids are on their reading journey, there are countless ways to incorporate reading into cozy days at home this winter. Here are some easy ideas for kids to try at home over winter break and beyond! Have kids think of the trusted friends, family members, or adults in their lives who can read, and encourage them to read aloud with these people as often as possible. Depending on their reading ability, they can simply listen to a book read aloud, or they can take turns reading and being read to. Have the kids fill out this Read-Aloud Log every time someone reads to them or every time they read to someone. You could offer a small reward for completing this activity every day of winter break (or every day during a predetermined time period). Reading aloud to their pets, stuffed animals, or even to themselves counts too! Set up reading challenges in which kids set goals and record their minutes spent reading or the number of books they read. Have kids color and decorate these winter-themed bookmarks to make reading even more fun. Encourage kids to borrow books from the library and have a big pile to choose from on cozy winter days. See this Cozy Wintertime Book List for book ideas. Refer to our 7 Ways to Create a Cozy Reading Environment document to create an ideal reading space. Lend or gift kids the first book in a series that’s likely to hook them. Sometimes all it takes is the right series to turn a reluctant reader into a bookworm! Incorporate reading time into other fun activities. For example, while making dinner or baking holiday treats, kids can read the recipes and write out the grocery lists. Create a snowflake book wall. Print out this Snowflake Wall Template , and have kids fill out a snowflake each time they finish a book. Then, have them tape the snowflake to the wall. Encourage kids to find ways to read while playing favorite games or while spending time on electronic devices. While playing games, have them read the game instructions aloud. While watching shows, have them turn on and read the subtitles. Have kids practice reading and writing while completing this fun Winter Scavenger Hunt . They’ll get some fresh air too! Refer to this Send Some Cheer printable for addresses to places where kids can send letters. Have them practice their writing skills and spread kindness by writing to kids in hospitals, senior citizens, refugee children, and more. Set up daily One Minute Reader time, and see literacy progress in just minutes! This research-proven, parent-trusted program is free for 7 days and just $8/month after that. Your kids will have so much fun beating their goals, they won't want to stop. Download the Splat-o-Nym vocabulary iPad app , which keeps kids entertained while boosting their vocabulary. Kids can try a free version of this game and purchase to get the full experience. Note that this app is only available for iPads, not smartphones or other devices. Add your own ideas to this list! Our hope is for all kids to experience the joy of reading this winter season and always.
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