As with
other learning disabilities, dyslexia is a lifelong challenge that people are
born with. This language processing disorder can hinder reading, writing,
spelling, and sometimes even speaking. Dyslexia is not a sign of poor
intelligence or laziness. It is also not the result of impaired vision.
Children and adults with dyslexia simply have a neurological disorder that
causes their brains to process and interpret information differently.
Dyslexia
occurs among people of all economic and ethnic backgrounds. Often more than one
member of a family has dyslexia. According to the National Institute of Child
and Human Development, as many as 15 percent of Americans have major troubles
with reading.
Much of
what happens in a classroom is based on reading and writing. So it's important
to identify dyslexia as early as possible. Using alternate learning methods,
people with dyslexia can achieve success.
What are
the Effects of Dyslexia?
Dyslexia
can affect people differently. This depends, in part, upon the severity of the
learning disability and the success of alternate learning methods. Some with dyslexia can have trouble with
reading and spelling, while others struggle to write, or to tell left from right.
Some children show few signs of difficulty with early reading and writing. But
later on, they may have trouble with complex language skills, such as grammar,
reading comprehension, and more in-depth writing.
Dyslexia
can also make it difficult for people to express themselves clearly. It can be
hard for them to use vocabulary and to structure their thoughts during
conversation. Others struggle to understand when people speak to them. This
isn't due to hearing problems. Instead, it's from trouble processing verbal
information. It becomes even harder with abstract thoughts and non-literal
language, such as jokes and proverbs.
All of
these effects can have a big impact on a person's self-image. Without help,
children often get frustrated with learning. The stress of dealing with
schoolwork often makes children with dyslexia lose the motivation to continue
and overcome the hurdles they face.
What Are
the Warning Signs?
The
following are common signs of dyslexia in people of different ages. If you or
someone you know displays these signs, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a
learning disability. But if troubles continue over time, consider testing for
dyslexia.
Young Children
|
School-Age Children
|
Teenagers & Adults
|
Trouble with:
Recognizing letters, matching letters to sounds, and blending sounds into speech
·
Pronouncing
words, for example saying"mawn lower" instead of "lawn
mower"
·
Learning
and correctly using new vocabulary words
·
Learning
the alphabet, numbers, and days of the week or similar common word sequences
·
Rhyming
|
Trouble with:
Mastering the rules of spelling
·
Remembering facts and numbers
·
Handwriting
or with gripping a pencil
·
Learning
and understanding new skills; instead, relying heavily on memorization
·
Reading
and spelling, such as reversing letters (d,b) or moving letters around (left,
felt)
·
Following a sequence of directions
·
Trouble
with word problems in math
|
Trouble with:
Reading at the expected level
·
Understanding
non-literal language, such as idioms, jokes, or proverbs
·
Reading aloud
·
Organizing and managing time
·
Trouble summarizing a story
·
Learning a foreign language
·
Memorizing
|
How Is Dyslexia Identified?
Trained
professionals can identify dyslexia using a formal evaluation. This looks at a
person's ability to understand and use spoken and written language. It looks at
areas of strength and weakness in the skills that are needed for reading. It
also takes into account many other factors. These include family history,
intellect, educational background, and social environment.
How Is
Dyslexia Treated?
It helps
to identify dyslexia as early in life as possible. Adults with unidentified
dyslexia often work in jobs below their intellectual capacity. But with help
from a tutor, teacher, or other trained professional, almost all people with
dyslexia can become good readers and writers. Use the following strategies to
help to make progress with dyslexia.
• Expose your child to early oral reading,
writing, drawing, and practice to encourage development of print knowledge,
basic letter formation, recognition skills, and linguistic awareness (the
relationship between sound and meaning).
• Have your child practice reading
different kinds of texts. This includes
books, magazines, ads, and comics.
• Include multi-sensory, structured
language instruction. Practice using sight, sound, and touch when introducing
new ideas.
• Seek modifications in the classroom.
This might include extra time to complete assignments, help with note taking,
oral testing, and other means of assessment.
• Use books on tape and assistive
technology. Examples are screen readers and voice recognition computer
software.
• Get help with the emotional issues
that arise from struggling to overcome academic difficulties.
Reading
and writing are key skills for daily living. However, it is important to also
emphasize other aspects of learning and expression. Like all people, those with
dyslexia enjoy activities that tap into their strengths and interests. For
example, people with dyslexia may be attracted to fields that do not emphasize
language skills. Examples are design, art, architecture, engineering, and
surgery.
From ncld.org.
Read the article here
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