Dyslexia

Reading this article may seem like a simple task for many of us, but for someone with the learning disability known as dyslexia it can be downright frustrating. According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), a person with dyslexia may have trouble reading, writing, spelling and possibly speaking. This life-long language processing disorder affects both children and adults, and according to NCLD, has nothing to do with a person's intellectual abilities. NCLD says dyslexia, a neurological disorder, causes the brain to process and interpret information differently. (Read about "The Brain") Although the disorder varies from person to person, common characteristics among people with dyslexia are difficulty with phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds) and/or rapid visual-verbal responding, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Possible indications of dyslexia

Dyslexia can affect different people in different ways. NCLD says some people can have difficulty with reading and spelling, while others might find it a challenge to use words correctly. Having trouble distinguishing left from right may also be an issue for someone with dyslexia. Here are just some of the areas of difficulty for someone who is dyslexic, according to NCLD:

• pronouncing words properly
• spelling words
• learning the alphabet
• learning numbers
• reading with age-appropriate speed and accuracy
• reading comprehension
• organizing thoughts
• memory skills
• learning a foreign language
• handwriting

These are common indications of possible dyslexia, but someone displaying these problems may not necessarily have the learning disability. NCLD says it is important to identify whether dyslexia is the cause through a formal evaluation by trained professionals. Early diagnosis and intervention can make a big difference, minimizing the impact of the condition. Some of the specific things parents should look for, according to the International Dyslexia Association, (IDA) are:

• the child may start talking later than most children
• vocabulary may grow slowly
• the child may struggle to come up with the right word
• rhyming is difficult
• problems learning things like the ABC's, colors or how to spell or write their name
• difficulty following directions that have multiple steps

These do not mean that a child has dyslexia. They are merely guideposts. Parents, who suspect their child is having a problem, should not hesitate to have an evaluation done. (Read about "Child Development")

Treating dyslexia

Dyslexia is not a disease. There is no cure. IDA says the cause of the disorder is neurobiological and genetic. (Read about "Genetics") Chances are someone with dyslexia inherited it from a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle. NCLD says early detection of dyslexia is a major factor in how much the disability will affect a person's development. According to NCLD, adults with undiagnosed dyslexia often hold jobs that are below their intellectual ability. However, with help from a trained professional, almost all people with dyslexia can become good readers and writers. NCLD lists some of the following strategies to help people overcome the challenges of dyslexia:

• practice reading different types of text like magazines, books, and advertisements
• early exposure to oral reading, writing and drawing as well as basic letter formation
• allow extra time to complete school assignments
• provide oral testing and other means of assessment
• practice using sight, sound and touch when introducing new ideas
• use books-on-tape and computer software to assist with language

Living with dyslexia

According to IDA, 15-20 percent of the population has language-based learning disabilities. IDA says dyslexia is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties. Both males and females are affected nearly equally as are people from different ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The good news is, if caught at a young age, people with dyslexia can learn to read at grade level. Even if caught later on in life, IDA says it's never too late for someone with dyslexia to learn to read, comprehend and express information more efficiently. With the right diagnosis, instruction, hard work, and support, individuals who are dyslexic can succeed both in school and as professionals. According to NCLD, people with dyslexia are multi-dimension thinkers, and can do well in a variety of visual fields like art, engineering and even surgery.

Here are just some of the well-known people thought to have dyslexia or other learning disabilities, according to IDA:

• Whoopi Goldberg - actress
• Erin Brockovich - legal investigator
• Bruce Jenner - Olympic gold medalist
• Nolan Ryan - Hall of Fame pitcher
• Ann Bancroft - arctic explorer
• Richard Branson - businessman
• Tommy Hilfiger - clothing designer

Research

NINDS says research is currently being conducted on dyslexia. The focus is on developing techniques for diagnosing the disorder as well as treatment of dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Researchers are also exploring the relationship between neurophysiological processes and cognitive functions and their affect on the ability to read.