What Parents, Teachers and Clinicians Know About the Features of Developmental Dyslexia and Its Intervention: A Scoping Review

Despite decades of research, misconceptions about developmental dyslexia remain widespread among those responsible for identifying and supporting affected children. Identifying the nature and persistence of these beliefs is essential to improving practice and policy. We conducted a scoping review to map the understanding of developmental dyslexia among teachers, parents and clinicians by identifying their beliefs about its features and interventions. The review included 95 studies on dyslexia features and 56 studies on dyslexia intervention. Thematic analyses identified several accurate beliefs (n = 17) across stakeholder groups (e.g., dyslexia is a neurological condition, early intervention is important) as well as false beliefs (n = 4) and partially correct beliefs (n = 18; e.g., dyslexia is a visual problem, dyslexia can be outgrown). Statistical analyses showed no significant differences in the prevalence of false beliefs between teachers, parents and clinicians. The findings suggest that misconceptions are rooted in the progressive scientific landscape of dyslexia research, highlighting the need for targeted professional development, improved dissemination of evidence-based practices and further research to address gaps in understanding and practice.