Every year, the month of October is observed as Dyslexia Awareness Month across the world to promote awareness, understanding, and inclusion for individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs) particularly Dyslexia.
In 2025, the Government of India flagged off the “Walk for Dyslexia” campaign to spread awareness, reduce stigma, and promote inclusive education nationwide.
Additionally, October 8 is observed as International Dyslexia Awareness Day.
About Dyslexia
- Nature: Dyslexia is not a disorder or disease but a learning difference that primarily affects reading, writing, and spelling abilities.
- Intelligence Impact: Intelligence remains unaffected– dyslexic individuals often have average or above-average IQ.
- Challenge: Misunderstanding of the condition often leads to stigma and exclusion in schools and workplaces.
- Objective of Awareness Month: To build acceptance, empathy, and educational inclusion for children and adults with Dyslexia.
Dyslexia Awareness Timeline: Key Global Milestones
| Year | Milestone | Description |
| 1887 | Dyslexia first described | Dr. Rudolf Berlin (German ophthalmologist) identifies dyslexia as a “reading disorder.” |
| 1896 | Term coined | Dr. W. Pringle Morgan (UK) coins the term Dyslexia. |
| 1968 | Orton Dyslexia Society founded | Now known as the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) — supporting individuals and professionals globally. |
| 1997 | Special Education Law | U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes dyslexia as a qualifying condition for special education. |
| 2015 | Official Dyslexia Awareness Month | October globally recognized as Dyslexia Awareness Month to promote understanding and advocacy. |
Walk for Dyslexia 2025: National Awareness Campaign
- Initiative: Launched by the Government of India to raise public awareness about Dyslexia and promote inclusivity in education.
- Organizers:
- Changeinkk Foundation
- UNESCO MGIEP (Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development)
- Orkids Foundation
- Soch Foundation
- Venue: New Delhi
- Participants: Over 300 participants from various age groups and sectors joined the “Walk4Dyslexia.”
Significance:
- The campaign evolved from a symbolic walk to a national movement of empathy and inclusion, reinforcing the message that every child deserves equal opportunities to learn, irrespective of learning differences.
Outcome:
- The event concluded with a renewed commitment from the government, educators, and civil society to make classrooms more inclusive, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of children with Dyslexia.
Government of India Initiatives for Dyslexia & Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs)
PRASHAST 2.0 (Mobile Screening Tool)
- Developed by NCERT to help schools and teachers identify children with disabilities- including Dyslexia- at an early stage.
- Promotes early detection, timely support, and inclusive intervention.
Samagra Shiksha Scheme
Under the Department of School Education & Literacy, several measures have been introduced for early screening and support:
- Implementation of PRASHAST 2.0 in collaboration with NCERT.
- Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP): Includes modules on inclusive education to train pre-service teachers.
- Customized Learning Support:
- Development of Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs).
- Provision of Assistive Devices such as text-to-speech and reading tools.
- Therapeutic Support for children with SLDs.
- Block-Level Screening & Identification Camps:
- Conducted in collaboration with the Departments of Health & Family Welfare and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
- Policy Integration:
- Reflected in NEP 2020, which emphasizes early identification, teacher capacity-building, and inclusive education frameworks.
Global & National Prevalence
Global Estimate:
- Dyslexia affects 1 in every 5 individuals worldwide (~20% of the global population).
India (UDISE+ 2024–25 Data):
- Around 12.15% of all Children with Special Needs (CwSN) enrolled in schools are reported to have Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs), including Dyslexia.
- However, experts suggest the actual prevalence is higher, as many children remain undiagnosed or outside formal schooling.
Implication:
- A significant number of Indian children may be struggling silently without support, underscoring the need for systematic early screening and inclusive educational frameworks.
Policy and Educational Context: NEP 2020 Alignment
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes inclusive, equitable, and flexible education for learners with diverse needs.
- Focus areas include:
- Early screening for learning disabilities.
- Teacher training in inclusive education methodologies.
- Use of technology and AI-based diagnostic tools for identification and intervention.
- Integration of learners with SLDs into mainstream classrooms.
Significance of Dyslexia Awareness Month 2025
| Aspect | Impact |
| Educational | Promotes teacher training and early detection through tools like PRASHAST 2.0. |
| Social | Breaks myths and stigmas; builds empathy and understanding of learning differences. |
| Policy-level | Reinforces inclusive education goals under NEP 2020 and Samagra Shiksha. |
| Global Cooperation | Strengthens India’s alignment with UNESCO’s goals for inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4). |