Definition

Dyslexia is a learning disorder characterized by difficulty reading due to

problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters
and words. Also called specific reading disability, dyslexia is a common
learning disability in children.

Dyslexia occurs in children with normal vision and intelligence. Sometimes

dyslexia goes undiagnosed for years and isn't recognized until adulthood.

There's no cure for dyslexia. It's a lifelong condition caused by inherited traits
that affect how your brain works. However, most children with dyslexia can
succeed in school with tutoring or a specialized education program. Emotional
support also plays an important role.

Theres a long list of famous people with dyslexia. This list includes director
Steven Spielberg, investor Charles Schwab and actress Whoopi Goldberg. It also
includes quarterback Tim Tebow, and author Dav Pilkey, who created the
popular Captain Underpants books.

People with dyslexia are often very creative. Its unclear whether such creativity
comes from thinking outside the box or from having a brain thats wired a bit
differently.

Its important to keep in mind, however, that struggles with reading and other
issues can lead to frustration and low self-esteem. The stress of dealing with
schoolwork can make kids with dyslexia lose the motivation to keep trying.
 symptom

Early in elementary school, students are expected to read a passage of text and
answer questions about it. This is whats known as reading comprehension, and
its essential for building a strong foundation for success in school. Students with
dyslexia often have reading comprehension problems because they need to
develop several underlying skills, such as:

Connecting letters to sounds: Kids have to learn that each letter of the
alphabet is associated with a certain sound or sounds. (Teachers refer to this as
phonics.) Once your child can make these connections, shell be able to sound
out words.

Decoding text: The process of sounding out words is known as decoding.

Once your child can decode individual words, she can start to make sense of
entire sentences.

Recognizing sight words: The ability to read a familiar word at a glance

without having to sound it out is called word recognition. The more words kids
can recognize by sight, the faster theyll be able to read. Average readers can
recognize a word by sight after sounding it out a dozen or so times. Students with
dyslexia may need to see it 40 times.[1]

Reading fluently: Fluent readers can recognize most words by sight and quickly
sound out unfamiliar words. They also can read smoothly and at a good rate.
Fluency is essential for good reading comprehension.

Understanding the text: Strong readers can remember what theyve just read.
They can summarize it and recall specific details. Readers with dyslexia can get
bogged down sounding out individual words. This interrupts the flow of
information and makes it harder to understand and relate the new material to
what they already know.

If your child has been having trouble reading, its a good idea to find out whats
going on and get her some extra help. Thats because kids who start out
struggling with reading rarely catch up on their own.[2]
 Fortunately, researchers have been studying dyslexia for decades. They know
which teaching methods and tools can help children with dyslexia succeed. If
dyslexia is diagnosed by third grade, its easier to catch up. But its never too late

Dyslexia is characterized by deficits or difficulties in all or several of the following areas:

Reading Difficulties

Learning sounds of letters

Separating words into sounds
Slow and inaccurate reading
Poor reading comprehension
Oral Language Difficulties

Delayed spoken language

Misinterpretation of language that is heard
Lack of awareness of different sounds in words and rhymes
Organizing thoughts
Writing Difficulties

Organization of ideas
Poor spelling
Poor letter formation and spatial organization
Mathematics Difficulties

Memorizing math facts

Correct sequencing of steps when solving problems
Transposing digits within numbers
Misconceptions about Dyslexia

Dyslexia is not a result of low intelligence. (An unexpected gap exists between
learning aptitude and achievement.)
The problem is not behavioral, psychological, motivational or social.
People with dyslexia do not "see backward."

Strategies

Provide a quiet area for activities like reading, answering comprehension questions
Use books on tape
Use books with large print and big spaces between lines
Provide a copy of lecture notes
Dont count spelling on history, science or other similar tests
Allow alternative forms for book reports
 Allow the use of a laptop or other computer for in-class essays
Use multi-sensory teaching methods
Teach students to use logic rather than rote memory
Present material in small units

What treatments are available for people with a language-based learning

disability?
The goals of speech and language treatment for the child with a reading problem
target the specific aspects of reading and writing that the student is missing. For
example, if the student is able to read words but is unable to understand the
details of what has been read, comprehension is addressed. If a younger student
has difficulty distinguishing the different sounds that make up words, treatment
will focus on activities that support growth in this skill area (rhyming, tapping out
syllables, etc.).

Individualized programs always relate to the school work. Therefore, materials for
treatment are taken from or are directly related to content from classes (e.g.,
textbooks for reading activities, assigned papers for writing activities, practice of
oral reports for English class). The student is taught to apply newly learned
language strategies to classroom activities and assignments. To assist the child
best, the SLP may work side-by-side with the child in his or her classroom(s).

Intervention with spoken language (speaking and listening) can also be designed
to support the development of written language. For example, after listening to a
story, the student may be asked to state and write answers to questions. He or
she may be asked to give a verbal and then a written summary of the story.

Articulation (pronunciation) needs are also treated in a way that supports written
language. For example, if the child is practicing saying words to improve
pronunciation of a certain sound, he or she may be asked to read these words
from a printed list.

The SLP consults and collaborates with teachers to develop the use of strategies
and techniques in the classroom. For example, the SLP may help the teacher
modify how new material is presented in lessons to accommodate the child's
comprehension needs. The SLP may also demonstrate what planning strategies
the student uses to organize and focus written assignments.
 How to teach them in reading

Most kids with dyslexia can learn to read with the right kind of teaching. They might learn
new ways for remembering sounds. For example, "p" and "b" are called brother sounds
because they're both "lip poppers." You have to press your lips together to make the
sound.

Thinking about the way the mouth needs to move to make sounds can help kids read more
easily. Learning specialists know lots of special activities like this to teach reading to kids
who have dyslexia.

Kids with dyslexia also might use flash cards or tape classroom lessons and homework
assignments instead of taking notes about them. They may need parents and tutors to
help them stay caught up.

Extra time for tests is really important, so kids with dyslexia have enough time to finish
and show their teacher how much they have learned. Computers help a lot, too. You can
get programs that "read" books out loud from the computer or even download recorded
books to an iPod!

What can be done at home for dyslexia?

Helping your child with dyslexia can be a challenge, particularly if youre never
been confident in your own reading and writing skills. But you dont have to be an
expert to help work on certain skills or strengthen your childs self-esteem.

Keep in mind that kids (and families) are all different, so not all options will work
for you. Dont panic if the first strategies you try arent effective. You may need to
try several approaches to find what works best for your child. Here are some
things you can try at home:

Read out loud every day. If your child is very young, read picture books
together. For a grade-schooler or middle-schooler, snuggle up with a copy
of Harry Potter. For a teenager, consider reading magazine or newspaper articles
or maybe a recipe. Billboards, store-discount signs and instruction manuals are
 also fair game. Hearing you read can let your child focus on understanding the
material and expanding his overall knowledge base. Do it every chance you can
get.

Tap into your childs interests. Provide a variety of reading materials, such as
comic books, mystery stories, recipes and articles on sports or pop stars. Look
for good books that are at your childs reading level. Kids with dyslexia and
other reading issues are more likely to power through a book if the topic is of
great interest to them.

Use audiobooks. Check your local library to see if you can borrow audio
recordings of books. You can also access them online. Some stores sell books
for younger kids that come with a recording of the story on a CD that prompts
them when its time to turn the page. Listening to a book while looking at the
words can help your child learn to connect the sounds shes hearing to the words
shes seeing.

Look for apps and other high-tech help. Word processors and spell-check can
help kids who have trouble with reading and spelling. Voice-recognition software
can help older students tackle writing assignments by letting them dictate their
ideas instead of having to type them. There are also lots of apps and online
games that can help your child build reading skills.

Observe and take notes. Watching your child more closely and taking notes on
her behavior may reveal patterns and triggers that you can begin to work around.
Your notes will also come in handy if you want to talk to teachers, doctors or
anyone else you enlist to help your child.

Focus on effort, not outcome. Praise your child for trying hard, and emphasize
that everyone makes mistakesyou included! Help your child understand how
important it is to keep practicing, and give hugs, high-fives or other rewards for
making even the smallest bits of progress. Your encouragement will help your
child stay motivated.

See what it feels like. Use Through Your Childs Eyes to experience what its
like to have dyslexia. Sometimes simply acknowledging that you understand what
your child is going through can boost her confidence enough to try different
strategies and stick with them long enough to see which ones are the most
helpful.
 Make your home reader-friendly. Try to stock every room (including the
bathroom!) with at least a few books or magazines your child might be interested
in reading. Take a book when you go out for pizza or on a trip, and read it to your
family so you can all discuss it. Look for other creative ways to encourage
reading and writing at home.

Boost confidence. Use hobbies and afterschool activities to help improve your
childs self-esteem and increase resilience. Try different ways to identify and build
on your childs strengths.