Understanding Dyslexia:
Unlocking Insights into a Common Learning Difference
Welcome to Dyslexia Reading Center!
Dyslexia is a unique and common learning difference that affects approximately 1 in 5 individuals. Dyslexia is more than just a reading challenge; it's a neurobiological learning disability with a spectrum ranging from mild to profound. Let's delve into the nuances of dyslexia, unlocking insights that empower parents, educators, and dyslexic individuals.
"Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge."
-International Dyslexia Association, 2002
Key Points:
Prevalence and Spectrum:
Dyslexia affects 1 in 5 individuals.
The dyslexia spectrum ranges from mild to profound.
It is the most common cause of reading, writing, and spelling struggles.
Common Signs:
Letter reversals.
Difficulty discerning distinct sounds within words.
Challenges in matching sounds to letters, crucial for reading and spelling.
Phonological Processing Skills:
Dyslexics may struggle with phonological processing skills, including phonemic awareness, phonological memory, and rapid naming abilities.
This refers to their ability to identify and manipulate the individual sound units that our language uses to make a word.
Phonological skills are important when learning to read and spell.
Early signs may include difficulty learning to rhyme.
Examples of Phonological Tasks:
Rhyming games during the preschool and kindergarten years.
Difficulty decoding words into individual sounds and connecting them with corresponding letters.
What rhymes with cat? mat … hat … bat
Say hand without saying /h/. You get and.
How many sounds are in play? There are only 3 sounds in play: p, l, and long a.
Play is represented by 4 letters, which makes this tricky to spell because of the long /a/.
Challenges in Reading:
Struggles with rapid letter and word recall.
Difficulty recalling and naming words quickly affects reading fluency and comprehension.
Impact on Various Skills:
Dyslexia may affect oral vocabulary, fine motor skills, writing, math, memory, organizational and study skills, self-esteem and executive functioning skills (i.e. planning, sequencing, follow through with task completion).
Discrepancy between strengths in non-reading areas and struggles in learning to read at the same rate as peers.
Intelligence and Strengths:
Dyslexia does not indicate low intelligence; many dyslexic individuals are bright.
The dyslexic brain is wired differently, often showcasing strengths in areas other than reading.
