What is dyslexia, the learning disorder Gavin Newsom has: "It's nothing to be ashamed of."

Gavin Newsom has transformed a personal experience of academic difficulties into a statewide educational initiative. His disorder , known as dyslexia , has become the driving force behind an education reform that seeks to identify and support students with similar learning challenges . During the presentation of his plan at a Compton school, the governor recounted how he learned he had it.

Newsom recounted her personal experience . “In fifth grade, I found a note from my teacher to my mom. It had a word in it I’d never seen before: dyslexia ,” she recounted in an X post. “ It’s not something to be ashamed of , nor a weakness,” she added.

Gavin Newsom also commented that this disorder continues to haunt him to this day, and is evident in his writing . “I know there are many others who are in a similar situation, and I know they are struggling, and I know many are left behind. Many of those children are called dumb, some end up in special education, where, in some ways, I have sat on my hands,” he said. The governor asserted that this motivated him to launch the state plan “so that every student has the ability to read and succeed.”

Previously, during his appearance on Good Morning America , the governor shared intimate details of his childhood marked by these academic challenges. The California politician said he discovered his disorder by accident at age 10. “I walked into my mom's room and found a pile of reports and evaluations . They talked about my speech therapy , my difficulty reading , concentrating , spelling . I'm still that kid,” he said.

This late revelation explains many of the traumatic experiences he endured during his school years. Newsom recounted how he was the child who sat in the back of the classroom, constantly anxious and fearful of being called upon by teachers to read aloud .

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability of neurobiological origin . According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it affects a person's ability to read accurately and fluently. It is not related to intelligence and can occur in people with normal or even superior cognitive functioning .

According to the U.S. National Center for Improving Literacy , an estimated one in five people has some degree of dyslexia , making it the most common learning disorder. In many cases, it is hereditary , although the educational environment and family support also influence its impact.

People with dyslexia have differences in certain brain regions responsible for phonological processing, that is, the relationship between the sounds of language and their written representation. These areas, located primarily in the left hemisphere, function less efficiently in people without the disorder.

These alterations make it difficult to decode written words , which slows down reading and comprehension. They can also affect spelling and reading speed.

Newsom recently unveiled the Golden State Literacy Plan . This strategy aims to increase reading levels among elementary school students , especially those with disabilities such as dyslexia. The plan calls for the assignment of more than 1,000 reading specialists to work in the highest-need public schools.

According to the official release , among the plan's key measures is the implementation of annual reading assessments for kindergarten, first, and second grade students, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year . These assessments will allow for early detection of reading difficulties , including learning disabilities. The state has allocated $25 million to support this process.

The Golden State Literacy Plan includes training for educators, customized materials, and support networks . As Newsom mentioned, the goal is to ensure that no student is left behind due to reading difficulties.