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What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia refers
to a cluster of symptoms, which result in people having
difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading.
Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other
language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing
words. Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives;
however, its impact can change at different stages in a person’s
life. It is referred to as a learning disability because dyslexia can
make it very difficult for a student to succeed academically in
the typical instructional environment, and in its more severe
forms, will qualify a student for special education, special
accommodations, or extra support services.
What Causes Dyslexia?
The exact causes of dyslexia are still not completely clear, but
anatomical and brain imagery studies show differences in the
way the brain of a dyslexic person develops and functions.
Moreover, most people with dyslexia have been found to have
problems with identifying the separate speech sounds within a
word and/or learning how letters represent those sounds, a key
factor in their reading difficulties. Dyslexia is not due to either
lack of intelligence or desire to learn; with appropriate teaching
methods, dyslexics can learn successfully.
How Widespread Is Dyslexia?
About 13–14% of the school population nationwide has a
handicapping condition that qualifies them for special
education. Current studies indicate that one-half of all the
students who qualify for special education are classified as
having a learning disability (LD) (6–7%). About 85% of those
LD students have a primary learning disability in reading and
language processing. Nevertheless, many more people—
perhaps as many as 15–20% of the population as a whole—
have some of the symptoms of dyslexia, including slow or
inaccurate reading, poor spelling, poor writing, or mixing up
similar words. Not all of these will qualify for special education,
but they are likely to struggle with many aspects of academic
learning and are likely to benefit from systematic, explicit,
instruction in reading, writing, and language. Dyslexia occurs in
people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels. People who
are very bright can be dyslexic. They are often capable or even
gifted in areas that do not require strong language skills, such
as art, computer science, design, drama, electronics, math,
mechanics, music, physics, sales, and sports. In addition,
dyslexia runs in families; dyslexic parents are very likely to have
children who are dyslexic. Some people are identified as
dyslexic early in their lives, but for others, their dyslexia goes
unidentified until they get older.
How Is Dyslexia Treated?
Dyslexia is a life-long condition. With proper help, many people
with dyslexia can learn to read and write well. Early identification
and treatment is the key to helping dyslexics achieve in school
and in life. Most people with dyslexia need help from a teacher,
tutor, or therapist specially trained in using a multisensory,
structured language approach. It is important for these
individuals to be taught by a systematic and explicit method that
involves several senses (hearing, seeing, touching) at the
same time. Many individuals with dyslexia need one-on-one
help so that they can move forward at their own pace. In
addition, students with dyslexia often need a great deal of
structured practice and immediate, corrective feedback to
develop automatic word recognition skills. When students with
dyslexia receive academic therapy outside of school, the
therapist should work closely with classroom teachers, special
education providers, and other school
personnel. Schools can implement academic accommodations
and modifications to help dyslexic students succeed. For
example, a student with dyslexia can be given extra time to
complete tasks, help with taking notes, and work assignments
that are modified appropriately. Teachers can give taped tests
or allow dyslexic students to use alternative means of
assessment. Students can benefit from listening to books on
tape and using the computer for text reading programs and for
writing. Students may also need help with emotional issues that
sometimes arise as a consequence of difficulties in school.
Mental health specialists can help students cope with their
struggles
Dyslexia is an often misunderstood disability. Many people believe that persons with
Dyslexia see words backwards. The truth is that Dyslexia is not a visual disorder but
rather a language disorder. The reason that letters "move around" is that the individual
sounds or phonemes have less value. Below is some information from the International
Dyslexia Association (IDA). For more information on Dyslexia please visit their website:
www.interdys.org.
Dyslexia see words backwards. The truth is that Dyslexia is not a visual disorder but
rather a language disorder. The reason that letters "move around" is that the individual
sounds or phonemes have less value. Below is some information from the International
Dyslexia Association (IDA). For more information on Dyslexia please visit their website:
www.interdys.org.
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