Dyslexia is a learning disorder characterized by difficulties in learning to read and write. It occurs in individuals with normal vision, hearing, and intelligence. There's no cure and the condition persists into adulthood. Adults with dyslexia have trouble spelling, summarizing, memorizing, and reading aloud. With specialized dyslexia treatments, dyslexics can succeed in school and at work.
Dyslexic students often think of themselves as stupid. They can't read and all their peers can. Parents may think their child is lazy. What a relief to know it's a neurological processing disorder that has no relationship to intelligence. Dyslexics have difficulties with reading, rhyming, writing, spelling, and phonics. Reversing letters or mirror writing is a common indicator. Identifying directions like left and right is difficult.
Specialized learning strategies include a variety of multisensory techniques. Wooden alphabet letters painted to identify the correct side can help students "feel" the correct form of letters. Tracing letters and creating letters out of clay may help the student feel the difference between similar letters. Similar letters like "d" and "b" are formed differently in cursive so often this style of writing is easier for dyslexics to read and write. Oral spelling may be easier for some. An alphabet card can help dyslexics master writing skills.
Testing includes reading, spelling, writing. The specialist looks for mirror writing, letter reversal, dropping, changing, or adding words, transposing letters and words, and pulling words from different lines. Testing identifies dyslexia and the problem areas. From this information a learning specialist can recommend helpful learning techniques.
In the U. S., schools are required to set up an IEP, Individualized Educational Plan, when students have a learning disorder. They must provide specialized instruction. Dyslexics may be given tests orally, given additional time to take tests, or allowed to take tests in a separate quiet room. They may be allowed to take tests on a laptop computer. They may be provided audiobooks to assist with learning.
Many educational programs are available in the marketplace. Some well known programs include Lindamood-Bell Program, Wilson Reading System, PALS Reading, Failure Free Reading, and Corrective Reading. There are many more. An educational specialist can help identify problem areas and learning styles that will lead to success. Dyslexia is a neurological processing disorder. With daily practice new neural pathways are established. Age is no barrier to learning success.
Severe dyslexics may never be fluent readers. The dyslexics struggle to read often leads to difficulties in comprehension. Still they can succeed in the marketplace with the right tools. Dyslexics can be fluent writers with a laptop and spellcheck. Text to audio software can be helpful, as can taped lessons. Other coping strategies include color coding important information, recording notes for audio feedback, using a GPS for navigation.
Dyslexia does seem to be an inherited condition. It does not co-occur with physical disabilities. It's unrelated to intelligence. It's a neurological processing disorder. With specialized education and coping skills, individuals with this learning disability can be successful and thrive in all walks of life. For inspiration, consider the following list of famous personalities with dyslexia: John Lennon, Mohammad Ali, Tom Cruise, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Leonardo da Vinci, and Albert Einstein.
Dyslexic students often think of themselves as stupid. They can't read and all their peers can. Parents may think their child is lazy. What a relief to know it's a neurological processing disorder that has no relationship to intelligence. Dyslexics have difficulties with reading, rhyming, writing, spelling, and phonics. Reversing letters or mirror writing is a common indicator. Identifying directions like left and right is difficult.
Specialized learning strategies include a variety of multisensory techniques. Wooden alphabet letters painted to identify the correct side can help students "feel" the correct form of letters. Tracing letters and creating letters out of clay may help the student feel the difference between similar letters. Similar letters like "d" and "b" are formed differently in cursive so often this style of writing is easier for dyslexics to read and write. Oral spelling may be easier for some. An alphabet card can help dyslexics master writing skills.
Testing includes reading, spelling, writing. The specialist looks for mirror writing, letter reversal, dropping, changing, or adding words, transposing letters and words, and pulling words from different lines. Testing identifies dyslexia and the problem areas. From this information a learning specialist can recommend helpful learning techniques.
In the U. S., schools are required to set up an IEP, Individualized Educational Plan, when students have a learning disorder. They must provide specialized instruction. Dyslexics may be given tests orally, given additional time to take tests, or allowed to take tests in a separate quiet room. They may be allowed to take tests on a laptop computer. They may be provided audiobooks to assist with learning.
Many educational programs are available in the marketplace. Some well known programs include Lindamood-Bell Program, Wilson Reading System, PALS Reading, Failure Free Reading, and Corrective Reading. There are many more. An educational specialist can help identify problem areas and learning styles that will lead to success. Dyslexia is a neurological processing disorder. With daily practice new neural pathways are established. Age is no barrier to learning success.
Severe dyslexics may never be fluent readers. The dyslexics struggle to read often leads to difficulties in comprehension. Still they can succeed in the marketplace with the right tools. Dyslexics can be fluent writers with a laptop and spellcheck. Text to audio software can be helpful, as can taped lessons. Other coping strategies include color coding important information, recording notes for audio feedback, using a GPS for navigation.
Dyslexia does seem to be an inherited condition. It does not co-occur with physical disabilities. It's unrelated to intelligence. It's a neurological processing disorder. With specialized education and coping skills, individuals with this learning disability can be successful and thrive in all walks of life. For inspiration, consider the following list of famous personalities with dyslexia: John Lennon, Mohammad Ali, Tom Cruise, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Leonardo da Vinci, and Albert Einstein.