Misleading Dyslexia Statistics: Why Dementia Risk Isn’t What You Think

 In 2024, there was genetic research that showcased that those who are dyslexic have a higher chance of developing Alzheimer's. However, if you extend the search to include other populations that also have a higher propensity to the development of dementia, you will quickly discover that both ADHD and autism are also included. So why is that? 

What we can understand through research is that those individuals who have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's develop it not only because of a genetic predisposition. Through autopsies, it was discovered that some individuals' brains had high levels of the plaques associated with the development of dementia. However, these individuals did not present with dementia during their lives. It was discovered that these individuals lived their lives with a positive or increased outlook on life. By having a positive outlook towards life, these individuals most likely had decreased stress, increased well-being, and lower chances of depression and anxiety. It was their mindset that most likely staved off the development of traits associated with dementia. 

Research showcases that dyslexics have decreased well-being, increased levels of overwhelm, increased anxiety, increased levels of depression, decreased levels of self-esteem, and increased levels of social difficulty. Ultimately, these lower levels of well-being can influence an individual's mental outlook towards their experiences and themselves. Dyslexic individuals are regularly bullied by society, as there is a considerable misunderstanding of what dyslexia really is.

It is regularly quoted that the rate of dyslexia affects 20% of the world's population. However, if you read the original studies that quote these statistics, what is stated is that learning disabilities make up 20% of the world's population, with dyslexia being the highest within those numbers. When people see learning disabilities, many think that it is a synonym for dyslexia; however, dyslexia is something different. Learning disabilities do not equal dyslexia.  

Bringing it back to dementia, what we discover is that there is a one in five chance that those with learning disabilities can develop dementia. The average population rate for the development of dementia is one in 11. Why is this important? It is important because too many take statistics describing one population and apply them to another without realizing that science does not work this way. When they do, they make their claims inaccurate. Remember that dyslexics make up the most significant aspect of the learning disability classification, but they do not get to claim everything that is applied to this population.  

What we do know through the 2024 research study is that dyslexics have a higher chance of Alzheimer's. Given that those with a more positive mindset towards life and themselves are less likely to exhibit the traits and adverse effects associated with brain plaques, it becomes important for dyslexics to work on their mindset! Increasing one's well-being comes from developing positive social interactions - surround yourself with people who make you feel better. Begin looking for the strengths that you have in your life as a dyslexic person and just as a person. What aspects of you do you bring to a situation that others and you cherish? Do you use big-picture thinking, notice patterns that others miss, and solve problems with ease? These are all positives that come with being dyslexic. 

Next, what are your innate strengths? These are the aspects of yourself that you bring to each interaction and situation. Are you empathetic? Do you have a love of learning? Are you curious? Do you appreciate beauty and excellence? Bring a higher level of focus to these strengths, and your well-being will increase.

For us dyslexics, if we want to work on what we can control to reduce our risk of developing Alzheimer's, we need to improve our outlook on life, eat healthier, surround ourselves with amazing people, and develop a healthy lifestyle.

Do not just look at the statistics, as the people who are quoting them may be misunderstanding what the research was showing or to which population these statistics apply. Remember that no matter what we are presented with in life, we can never go wrong by improving our well-being!

References:

Chang, Z., Yao, H., Sun, S., Zhang, L., Liu, S., Brikell, I., D’Onofrio, B. M., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., Kuja-Halkola, R., Hägg, S., Happé, F., & Taylor, M. J. (2025). Association between autism and dementia across generations: Evidence from a family study of the Swedish population. Molecular Psychiatry, 30(10), 4605–4612. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-03045-6

National Center for Learning Disabilities [NCLD]. (n.d.). 2016–2017 Annual Report, NCLD. https://ncld.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NCLD_2016%E2%80%932017-Annual-Report-1.pdf 

Zhu, P., Gao, S., Wu, S., Li, X., Huang, C., Chen, Y., & Liu, G. (2024). Causal relationships between dyslexia and the risk of eight dementias. Translational psychiatry, 14(1), 371. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03082-9