All you need to know about dyslexia.
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability due to disruption in the brain, resulting in struggles with language skills such as reading, writing, spelling, and pronunciation. It diminishes the brain’s ability to “decode” writing, therefore making it hard to process words. People with dyslexia may also struggle with rapid letter and word recall (aka rapid automatic naming or RAN), which rely on the ability to quickly identify words. As a result, they usually take longer to read compared to others.
Dyslexia can occur in different severities, and can change over the course of a person’s life. Typically, dyslexia makes it challenging for students to find success in school, but with proper help and accommodations, many learn to read and write well in the end. Keep in mind that dyslexia is not the same as low intelligence; on the contrary, many dyslexic people can be very bright!
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of dyslexia is still unknown. Nevertheless, there are several known factors: genetics, different development of brain structure, and disruptions in brain development. Overall, dyslexia seems to be related to specific genes that affect reading and learning brain areas.
Risk factors, other than genetic causes, include exposure to water pollution, air pollution, and heavy metals. Other factors are an absence of reading material during childhood and limitations in their learning environment.
Symptoms
People with dyslexia can have:
Trouble spelling simple words
Difficulty rhyming
Problems with pronunciation and “sounding out” new words
Trouble differentiating between similar-looking letters (“b” and “p”, for example)
Mixing up different sounds in a word
Having one of these symptoms doesn’t mean a person is dyslexic, but if they also struggle with basic reading, then screening for dyslexia can be a good idea.
Levels of Severity
Mild: problems are present, but can be circumvented with proper support and accommodations
Moderate: higher difficulties, resulting in the need for special help and interventions
Severe: continues to have strong impact even after specialized treatment
If you suspect your child has dyslexia, aim to diagnose them early. Because it is a learning disorder, it is important to figure it out as soon as possible.
Works Cited
"Dyslexia." Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6005-dyslexia.
"Dyslexia." Mayo Clinic, 6 Aug. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dyslexia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353552.
"Dyslexia Basics." International Dyslexia Association, dyslexiaida.org/dyslexia-basics/.
"What is Dyslexia?" Dyslexia Help, Regents of the U of Michigan, dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/dyslexics/learn-about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia. Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board