Dyslexia is a reading disorder in which the brain struggles to recognize symbols and to be able to process them. It is estimated that more than 10% of the child population worldwide has significant problems with reading derived from dyslexia and, although it is a disorder that cannot be cured at the moment, certain methods can be incorporated so that the The lives of those who suffer from it can be more bearable, improving the ability to understand and read.
Dyslexia can also appear in people who have other disorders related to mathematics and / or the level of writing and, it must be added, that it is not a disorder caused by vision problems or low intelligence, as has been believed in times past.
What are the effects?
People with dyslexia can have a wide variety of symptoms, from the inability to distinguish between left and right when reading to more serious ones, such as spelling and writing problems . Dyslexia can also affect a person’s ability to communicate thoughts clearly or to understand the language of others. People with dyslexia are more likely to have ADHD, which makes dyslexia more difficult to treat.
Dyslexia Warning Signs
Young children may have difficulty recognizing letters, rhymes, sounds, combined sounds …, they may pronounce words incorrectly or learn and use new words. They may also have difficulty memorizing sequences such as the alphabet or the days of the week.
School-age children with dyslexia often have difficulty reading and spelling and can see letters reversed or moved around the page, leading to significant difficulties in remembering facts or learning new skills such as handwriting, following directions, or math problems, which are good examples of the biggest challenges children with dyslexia face.
Adolescents and adults with dyslexia may also have difficulty organizing or learning a foreign language or understanding double meanings. Their reading level may be below average, they have trouble with memorization, it is very difficult for them to read aloud, and they may not be able to summarize a story adequately.
Diagnosis of dyslexia
Risk factors include a family history or certain brain damage to areas that process language .
Trained professionals should use standardized tests to diagnose dyslexia. There should also be a hearing and vision exam to rule out problems in those areas. An evaluation for dyslexia must include a complete educational history. Information on possible similar problems in the family and medical information will also be requested. The tests should also include reading and listening level assessments.
Other issues to consider
- Help children layer colors in their reading materials.
- Encourage children to practice different reading methods.
- Take them to the library and allow them to choose books and magazines .
- Encourage them to write about things that interest them.
- Ask teachers what things they do in the classroom to encourage reading and practice it at home as well.
- Request classroom assistance that includes certain note-taking aids, additional time for homework, and / or oral exams.
- Have them follow the page while reading the book with a CD or computer.
- Remind them of and enhance their diverse talents and strengths so that reading does not cause them depression.
- Never resort to homeopathic treatments in order to eradicate dyslexia. If someone promises a cure, it is a big warning sign that their “treatment” will not work.
