Dyslexia – The Reading Disability

Dyslexia - An Insight

The term dyslexia is derived from the Greek words δυς- dys- meaning impaired and λέξις lexis meaning words. People suffering from this disorder are known as dyslexic or dyslectic.

A type of learning disability, dyslexia impairs an individual’s ability to read properly. Individuals affected by this disability read at levels that are significantly lower than other normal individuals. This disorder varies from person to person. However, the common problems faced by adults and children alike are difficulty in phonological processing, manipulation of sound and rapid visual and verbal responding.

In the US, there are approximately 2 million children with learning disabilities between the ages of six and seventeen. These children fail to achieve average IQ level when subjected to standardized tests in the specific area of difficulty such as reading, mathematic and writing.

Symptoms of Dyslexia

People suffering from dyslexia often demonstrate symptoms like:

* Confusing letters and words in either reading or writing

* Elisions

* Reading slowly or hesitantly

* Inability to use correct words or using words and syllables in the wrong order such as "left" for "felt"

* Difficulty in processing sound and oral language components find it difficult to process phonological information.

* Dyslexic children find it difficult to form the sound that make up the language they speak and hence often result in slow or delayed speech or pronunciation.

Not only are they bound by their disorder but their academic achievements tend to influence their lives as well. Failure to read or write normally tends to confuse these people which often results in other behavior problems such as stress, frustration, temper tantrums and even playing truant.

Cheating, stealing and experimenting with drugs are some of the behavioral problems that children with dyslexia demonstrate to compensate for their disability.

Causes of Dyslexia

According to experts, neurological abnormalities are the main causes of brain impairment. This neurological abnormality can cause impairment of visual and language process, attention and planning activities. These abnormalities result from genetic link or unnatural medical conditions.

Children born to parents with learning disabilities are liable to have these problems like dyslexia as compared to parents with no genetic link. However, dyslexia may also result from some traumatic brain injury or infection such as encephalitis or meningitis.

Others are of the opinion that it may be due to problems during pregnancy and birth; alcohol and drugs used during pregnancy as well as prolonged or premature labor. After birth incidents such as low nutrition and exposure to toxic substances like lead could cause dyslexia.

As contrary to the popular belief, dyslexia is not caused by reversing the order of letters in reading, nor is it a visual perception deficiency that involves reading letters or words backwards or upside down.

Treating Dyslexia

According to prognosis, individuals whose dyslexia is diagnosed early and who receive support from family and friends and work hard, they can overcome this learning disability.

Treating dyslexia focuses on solving the specific learning problems faced by individuals suffering from this learning disorder. One of the most common and effective ways to treat dyslexia, as prescribed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2004) is to modify the teaching methods and educational environment to meet the needs of dyslexic people.

However, the problem lies in observing the symptoms and correctly diagnosing it as dyslexia. Research so far indicates that there is a link between neuro-physiological processes and cognitive functions which result in reading ability. Biological impairment in this process usually results in reading and learning disabilities.

The problem of learning disability in children and adults has become a serious threat to the society as it limits them from growing into skilled and active individuals. Children with reading problems or dyslexia fail to identify and interpret letters and words. Dyslexic children do not recognize the code of sounds or syllables that form the phonetic structure which causes lack of confidence, loss of peers and other social problems which can turn dangerous if an action is not taken on time.