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What is dyslexia? -

Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing, and spelling.

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Reading difficulties -

Essentially, it's a condition defined by difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding).

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Problems processing language -

Dyslexia affects areas of the brain that process language.

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Dyslexia and intelligence -

However, unlike a learning disability, intelligence is not affected by the condition.

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Signs and symptoms -

Signs of dyslexia usually become apparent when a child starts school.  Symptoms include slow reading and writing, or mixing up words.

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Poor spelling -

Other signs are poor or inconsistent spelling, an inability to speak clearly, poor concentration, and difficulty following instructions.

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Problem solving -

Interestingly, those with dyslexia often excel in other areas, such as creative thinking and problem solving.

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Numeracy -

Dyslexia can also affect a person's numerical aptitude. Indicators include confusion with place value, e.g. units, tens, hundreds, etc., and difficulty remembering anything in a sequential order, e.g. tables, days of the week, the alphabet, etc.

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Time and place -

Poor time keeping and difficulty telling the time are other signs of dyslexia.

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Classroom struggle -

Kids often struggle in the classroom because it takes them longer to read, write clearly, or follow instruction that's written down, even though most people with dyslexia have no trouble understanding information when told verbally.

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Specialized education programs -

Fortunately, most dyslexic youngsters succeed in school with careful tutoring or as part of a specialized education program. Emotional support also plays an important role.

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Emotional support -

Dyslexia can hinder a child's ability to interact with peers in a typical way, and respond appropriately in social situations. This can impact a youngster's confidence and self-esteem. Offering emotional support is therefore vital if a person is to overcome the condition.

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Dyslexia in adults -

Sometimes dyslexia goes undiagnosed for years and isn't recognized until adulthood. The tell-take signs are similar—erratic spelling, the need to re-read sentences and paragraphs to understand them, and difficulty concentrating, among other symptoms.

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No cure -

While symptoms of dyslexia tend to vary by age, people do not outgrow dyslexia. In fact, there is no cure for the condition.

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Early assessment -

Fortunately with early assessment and appropriate intervention, individuals with dyslexia can succeed in school and in the workplace.

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What causes dyslexia? -

It's important to reiterate that dyslexia is not related to a person's general level of intelligence. Instead the condition is linked to genes, which is why dyslexia often runs in families. You're more likely to have dyslexia if your parents, siblings, or other family members have it.

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It's in the genes -

That said, the exact cause of dyslexia is unknown. It appears to be linked to certain genes that affect how the brain processes reading and language, as well as risk factors in the environment.

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Risk factors -

It's been suggested that premature birth or low birth weight serve as risk factors in developing dyslexia.

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Pregnancy -

Exposure during pregnancy to nicotine, drugs, alcohol, infection, or anything else that may altar brain development in the fetus have also been cited as encouraging the onset of the condition.

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Impact on the brain -

Dyslexia can also be a result of individual differences in the parts of the brain that enable reading.

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Further assessment -

If after additional teaching and support you're still concerned about your child's progress, it may be a good idea to request a more in-depth assessment.

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Educational psychologist -

Your child will very likely be assigned a educational psychologist or an appropriately qualified specialist dyslexia tutor.

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Trained specialist support -

Trained specialists can support parents, their offspring, and their teachers by helping improve the understanding of a child's learning difficulties and suggesting interventions that may help them. This assessment will also provide a clearer picture of someone's cognitive profile and their strengths and weaknesses.

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Enjoy reading -

An important aspect of supporting kids with dyslexia is finding ways to decrease their discomfort around reading. The aim is to make learning to read enjoyable, not humiliating.

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Phonological skills -

Strengthening a child's phonological skills is vital if the youngster is to gain a better understanding of how words sound. Phonological awareness is an individual's appreciation of the phonological structure, or sound structure, of words. This awareness is an important and reliable predictor of later reading ability.

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Comprehension strategies -

Effective reading programs will incorporate teaching comprehension strategies, to help kids derive meaning from what they're reading.

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A sense of achievement -

As a dyslexic youngster gains more confidence in their reading ability, tutors can begin minimizing the amount of time spent correcting them. This in turns fuels a real sense of achievement and boosts self-esteem.

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A manageable condition -

Dyslexia is different for everyone. Fortunately, most people have little trouble overcoming the condition, and learn how to manage it.

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Dyslexia Awareness Month -

Dyslexia support groups exist in many countries, the contact details of which can be sourced on the internet or through local health authorities. And every year the condition is highlighted globally by Dyslexia Awareness Month. The initiative is designed to share stories from people living with dyslexia, and to encourage others to support those with the condition.

Sources: (Dyslexia Reading Well) (Everyday Health) (British Dyslexia Association) (Child Mind Institute) (International Dyslexia Association)

See also: Mind-blowing facts about the brain

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