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Dyslexia is a learning impairment characterized by trouble reading as a result of difficulties detecting speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding). Dyslexia, often known as reading difficulty, affects parts of the brain that process language.
People with dyslexia typically have normal brains and vision. With tutoring or a specialized education program, most children with dyslexia can excel in school. Emotional support is also very crucial.
Though there is no cure for dyslexia, early detection and management yield the best results. Dyslexia can go undiagnosed for years and not be identified until adulthood, but it's never too late to get help.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DYSLEXIA?
Dyslexia symptoms might be difficult to detect before your child starts school, but several early warning signs may suggest a problem. When your child reaches the age of school, his or her teacher may be the first to identify a problem. The severity of the issue varies, but it usually becomes obvious when a youngster begins learning to read.
Prior to school
The following symptoms may indicate that a young child is at risk of dyslexia:
- Late speaking
- Slowly learning new words
- Word formation issues, such as reversing sounds in words or mistaking words that sound alike
- Having difficulty remembering or naming letters, numbers, and colors
- Having trouble learning nursery rhymes or playing rhyming games
School age
Once your child starts school, dyslexia signs and symptoms may become more noticeable, such as:
- Reading well below the age-appropriate level
- Problems recalling the order of events
- Difficulty recognizing (and sometimes hearing) similarities and contrasts in letters and words
- Inability to sound out an unknown word's pronunciation
- Spelling difficulty
- Processing and comprehension issues with what he or she hears
- Difficulties in finding the proper term or formulating responses to problems
- Taking an exceptionally long time to complete reading or writing chores
- Avoiding reading-related activities
Adults and teenagers
Dyslexia symptoms in adolescents and adults are similar to those seen in children. Among the most prevalent dyslexia signs and symptoms in teenagers and adults are:
- Reading difficulty, including reading aloud
- Reading and writing are time-consuming and labor-intensive.
- Spelling issues
- Taking an exceptionally long time to complete reading or writing chores
- Having trouble summarizing a tale
- Having difficulty learning a new language
- Avoiding reading-related activities
- Mispronouncing names or words, or having difficulty recalling words
- Problems understanding jokes or statements with meanings that are not obvious from the individual words (idioms), such as "piece of cake" meaning "easy"
- Difficulty remembering
- Difficulties with math problems
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DYSLEXIA?
Dyslexia often runs in families. It appears to be linked to specific genes that affect how the brain processes reading and language, as well as environmental risk factors.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR DYSLEXIA?
Risk factors for dyslexia include:
- A history of dyslexia or other learning impairments in the family
- Birth defect or low birth weight
- Nicotine, drugs, alcohol, or virus exposure during pregnancy may affect the fetus's brain development.
- Individual differences in the brain regions that permit reading
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF DYSLEXIA?
Dyslexia can cause a variety of issues, including:
- Learning difficulties: Because reading is a fundamental ability for most other school courses, a kid with dyslexia will be at a disadvantage in most classrooms and may struggle to stay up with peers.
- Social issues: Dyslexia, if left untreated, can result in low self-esteem, behavioral issues, anxiety, anger, and detachment from friends, parents, and teachers.
- Issues as an adult: A child's failure to read and comprehend can impede him or her from realizing his or her full potential when the child grows older. This has the potential to have long-term educational, societal, and economic effects.
Children with dyslexia are more likely to have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and vice versa. ADHD can create trouble maintaining focus, as well as hyperactivity and impulsive conduct, making dyslexia more difficult to treat.
HOW IS DYSLEXIA DIAGNOSED?
There is no single test that can be used to diagnose dyslexia. A variety of criteria are taken into account, including:
- The development of your child, educational challenges, and medical histories: The doctor will very certainly ask you questions about these topics, as well as about any problems that run in the family, such as whether any family members have a learning handicap.
- Family life: The doctor may inquire about your family and home life, including who lives there and whether there are any problems.
- Questionnaires: Your child, family members, or instructors may be asked to answer written questions by the doctor. Your child may be required to take exams to determine his or her reading and language abilities.
- Vision, hearing, and brain (neurological) tests: These can assist in determining whether another disorder is causing or contributing to your child's low reading abilities.
- Psychological testing: To better understand your child's mental health, the doctor may ask you and your child questions. This can assist evaluate whether your child's abilities are being hampered by social issues, anxiety, or despair.
- Testing reading and other academic skills: A reading expert may provide a battery of educational assessments to your child and analyze the method and quality of his or her reading skills.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR DYSLEXIA?
Dyslexia is a lifetime problem because there is no known way to fix the underlying brain imbalance that causes it. Early detection and evaluation to determine unique needs and suitable therapy, on the other hand, can boost success.
Educational techniques
Dyslexia is addressed with specialized educational approaches and procedures, and the earlier intervention starts, the better. Psychological assessment will assist your child's teachers in developing an appropriate teaching program.
Teachers can utilize hearing, visual, and touch strategies to help students improve their reading skills. Helping a youngster learn using many senses — for example, listening to a recording lesson and tracing with a finger the shape of the letters used and the words uttered — can aid in information processing.
The treatment focuses on assisting your child:
- Recognize and employ the tiny sounds that comprise words (phonemes)
- Recognize that these sounds and words are represented by letters and string of letters (phonics)
- Recognize what he or she is reading
- Read aloud to improve reading speed, accuracy, and expressiveness (fluency)
- Create a vocabulary of terms that are known and comprehended.
Tutoring sessions with a reading professional, if available, can be beneficial for many children with dyslexia. If your child has a significant reading handicap, tutoring may be required more regularly, and improvement may be more gradual.
Individualized schooling program
Schools in the United States are required by law to assist children with dyslexia with their learning difficulties. Speak with your child's teacher about scheduling a meeting to develop an organized, written plan outlining your child's needs and how the school would assist him or her in succeeding. This is referred to as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Early treatment
Children with dyslexia who receive extra assistance in kindergarten or first grade often improve their reading skills sufficiently to excel in grade school and high school.
Children who do not receive assistance until later in life may have a more difficult time mastering the skills required to read successfully. They are prone to fall behind academically and may never catch up. A child with severe dyslexia may never be able to read well, but he or she can master reading skills and build methods to improve school performance and quality of life.
What can parents do?
You play a critical part in your child's success. Follow these steps:
- Deal with the issue right now: Consult your child's doctor if you feel he or she has dyslexia. Early intervention can boost success rates.
- Collaborate with your child's school: Speak with your child's teacher about how the school can assist him or her in succeeding. You are your child's most powerful advocate.
- Make reading time a priority: A child needs practice reading in order to enhance his or her reading skills. Inspire your child to read.
- Set a good reading example: Set aside time each day to read something as your youngster reads – this sets a good example and helps your child. Demonstrate to your child that reading can be pleasant.
- You should read aloud to your child: It is preferable to begin when your child is 6 months old or younger. Try reading recorded books to your child. After your child has heard the stories, read them together when he or she is old enough.
What Dyslexic Adults Can Do
Adults who struggle with dyslexia may find it challenging to find work. To assist you in achieving your objectives:
- Regardless of your age, seek examination and instructional assistance with reading and writing.
- In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, inquire about further training and appropriate accommodations from your employment or academic institution.
Academic difficulties may not always imply that a person with dyslexia cannot succeed. Given the correct resources, capable students with dyslexia can achieve great success. Many dyslexics are creative and clever, and they may be gifted in math, science, or the arts. Some have even gone on to have successful writing careers.