A poster of World Dyslexia Awareness Day Photo: Courtesy of the Spanish Embassy in China

World Dyslexia Awareness Day fell on October 8. The Spanish Embassy in China participated in the international campaign titled "United for Dyslexia," which is coordinated by the International Observatory of Dyslexia and other Specific Learning Difficulties (OIDEA) and aims to give greater visibility to this learning disorder. 

Dyslexia affects at least 10 percent of the world's population. In many cases, dyslexia is detected late due to being a totally invisible disorder, which causes most school failures and dropouts.

The stepped-up efforts are expected to increase awareness of dyslexia and improve the treatment of people with dyslexia. The learning disorder affects reading because people have difficulty identifying sounds and connecting sounds to letters and words. Unfortunately, this symptom often goes undiagnosed in its early stages because it is difficult to detect. Although it is never too late to seek help, early assessment and intervention as well as emotional support can go a long way in preventing students from falling behind.