Final answer:
Dyslexia is a learning disability characterized by difficulties with word recognition and spelling, which arise from issues with language processing. It occurs despite normal or above-average intelligence and is not indicative of a person's overall intelligence. So, the correct option is b. As a specific reading disability despite normal intelligence.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a common learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected about other cognitive abilities. Importantly, dyslexia is defined as a specific reading disability despite normal intelligence. People with dyslexia have trouble processing and interpreting individual letters and sounds, which can lead to letter reversals and struggles with spelling and reading.
It's essential to understand that dyslexia is not related to a person's overall intelligence; individuals with dyslexia have average or above-average intelligence. Furthermore, dyslexia does not imply that a person sees letters backward, which is a common misconception. Rather, it is related to how the brain processes language. Despite facing challenges with reading and writing, people with dyslexia may excel in other areas of skill and intelligence. Accommodations, like specialized instruction methods, can greatly assist students with dyslexia in their learning process. As noted, these challenges often manifest alongside a normal or even high level of intellectual ability, making option (b) the correct definition of dyslexia. Unlike developmental or intellectual disabilities, dyslexia does not reflect a person's intelligence level but rather a specific impairment in language processing.