Dyslexia is an inherited condition that varies in degrees of severity. It is manifested by difficulties in receptive and expressive language, including phonological processing, in reading, writing, spelling, handwriting, and sometimes in arithmetic. People with dyslexia are not stupid or lazy. Most have average or above-average intelligence and they work very hard to overcome their learning problems.
Can other factors contribute to dyslexia?
Dyslexia is not the result of lack of sensory impairment, inadequate instructional or environmental opportunities, or other limiting conditions, but may occur together with these conditions.
What causes dyslexia?
Research has shown that dyslexia happens because of the way the brain processes information. It is assumed that people with dyslexia do not use the most efficient part of their brain when they read. A different part of their brain takes over this function. As a matter of fact, there appears to be no consistent part used among dyslexic readers.
What are some of the problems associated with dyslexia?
Most people think that dyslexia causes people to reverse letters and numbers and see words backwards. But reversals occur as a normal part of development, and are seen in many children until first or second grade.
However, the main problem in dyslexia is trouble recognizing phonemes which are the basic sounds of speech. (The “b” sound in “bag” is a phoneme, for example.) Therefore, it is a struggle to make the connection between the sound and the letter symbol for that sound, and to blend sounds into words. As a result, children with dyslexia experience much difficulty in spelling and writing.
Secondly, dyslexic readers experience difficulty in recognizing short, familiar words or to sound out longer words. Because of the time spent to sound out a word, the meaning of the word is often lost and reading comprehension is poor. No wonder these readers are turned off from reading because reading appears to be slow, hard work.
Thirdly, children might have trouble remembering what they have read. They tend to remember more easily when the same information is read to them or heard on tape.
Fourthly, word problems in math may be especially hard, even if they have mastered the basics in arithmetic.
Finally, children might experience trouble finding the right words or names for various objects.
How Is Dyslexia Diagnosed?
People with dyslexia frequently find ways to work around their disability, so no one will know they are having trouble. This may save some embarrassment, but getting help could make school and reading easier.
A physical exam should be done to rule out any medical problems, including hearing and vision tests. Then a school psychologist or learning specialist should give several standardized tests to measure language, reading, spelling, and writing abilities. Sometimes a test of thinking ability (IQ test) is given.
Some of the ways parents and teachers can recognize a dyslexic child.
Dyslexia may be suspected if the following problems are noticed:
• poor reading skills, despite having normal intelligence
• poor spelling and writing skills
• difficulty finishing assignments and tests within time limits
• difficulty remembering the right names for things, tables
• difficulty memorizing written lists, phone numbers and what was read
• difficulty following directions
• confusion with sequence
• errors in oral reading, spelling and copying work
• poor confidence and low self-esteem
Children who show several of these signs should be tested for the condition.
What are some of the strategies teachers can use with dyslexic students?
1) Tailor teaching to the specific needs of students.
2) Use a multisensory approach to teaching children with dyslexia. This has been found to be the most effective method.
3) Teach phonetically as opposed to whole language.
4) Teach the correspondence between sounds and letters sequentially.
5) Each stage of teaching should follow from what went on before.
6) Ensure that students fully understand what went on in the previous stage before moving on to the other.
Conclusion
Dyslexia is considered a lifelong condition. It is not something that goes away on its own or that a person can outgrow. However, children with dyslexia frequently respond successfully to timely and appropriate intervention. They often find different ways to learn and use those strategies all their lives. Emotional support for children with dyslexia is very important. They often get frustrated because no matter how hard they try, they cannot seem to keep up with other students. Let us encourage them.
Special Needs Educator
