Dyslexia
Dyslexia Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding). Also called reading disability, dyslexia affects areas of the brain that process language. People with dyslexia have normal intelligence and usually have normal vision. Most children with dyslexia can succeed in school with tutoring or a specialized education program. Emotional support also plays an important role. Though there’s no cure for dyslexia, early assessment and intervention result in the best outcome. Sometimes dyslexia goes undiagnosed for years and isn’t recognized until adulthood, but it’s never too late to seek help. Causes of Dyslexia Dyslexia tends to run in families. It appears to be linked to certain genes that affect how the brain processes reading and language, as well as risk factors in the environment. Symptoms of Dyslexia Signs of dyslexia can be difficult to recognize before your child enters school, but some early clues may indicate a problem. Once your child reaches school age, your child’s teacher may be the first to notice a problem. Severity varies, but the condition often becomes apparent as a child starts learning to read. Signs that a young child may be at risk of dyslexia include: Once your child is in school, dyslexia signs and symptoms may become more apparent, including: Teens and adults Dyslexia signs in teens and adults are similar to those in children. Some common dyslexia signs and symptoms in teens and adults include: When to see a doctor Though most children are ready to learn reading by kindergarten or first grade, children with dyslexia often can’t grasp the basics of reading by that time. Talk with your doctor if your child’s reading level is below what’s expected for his or her age or if you notice other signs of dyslexia. When dyslexia goes undiagnosed and untreated, childhood reading difficulties continue into adulthood. Risk factors Dyslexia risk factors include: Complications Dyslexia can lead to a number of problems, including: Trouble learning. Because reading is a skill basic to most other school subjects, a child with dyslexia is at a disadvantage in most classes and may have trouble keeping up with peers. Social problems. Left untreated, dyslexia may lead to low self-esteem, behavior problems, anxiety, aggression, and withdrawal from friends, parents and teachers. Problems as adults. The inability to read and comprehend can prevent a child from reaching his or her potential as the child grows up. This can have long-term educational, social and economic consequences. Children who have dyslexia are at increased risk of having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and vice versa. ADHD can cause difficulty sustaining attention as well as hyperactivity and impulsive behavior, which can make dyslexia harder to treat. Diagnosis There’s no single test that can diagnose dyslexia. A number of factors are considered, such as: Your child’s development, educational issues and medical history. The doctor will likely ask you questions about these areas and want to know about any conditions that run in the family, including whether any family members have a learning disability. Home life. The doctor may ask for a description of your family and home life, including who lives at home and whether there are any problems at home. Questionnaires. The doctor may have your child, family members or teachers answer written questions. Your child may be asked to take tests to identify reading and language abilities. Vision, hearing and brain (neurological) tests. These can help determine whether another disorder may be causing or adding to your child’s poor reading ability. Psychological testing. The doctor may ask you and your child questions to better understand your child’s mental health. This can help determine whether social problems, anxiety or depression may be limiting your child’s abilities. Testing reading and other academic skills. Your child may take a set of educational tests and have the process and quality of reading skills analyzed by a reading expert. Treatment There’s no known way to correct the underlying brain abnormality that causes dyslexia dyslexia is a lifelong problem. However, early detection and evaluation to determine specific needs and appropriate treatment can improve success. Educational techniques Dyslexia is treated using specific educational approaches and techniques, and the sooner the intervention begins, the better. Psychological testing will help your child’s teachers develop a suitable teaching program. Teachers may use techniques involving hearing, vision and touch to improve reading skills. Helping a child use several senses to learn for example, listening to a taped lesson and tracing with a finger the shape of the letters used and the words spoken can help in processing the information. Treatment focuses on helping your child: Individual education plan In the Zimbabwe, schools have a legal obligation to take steps to help children diagnosed with dyslexia with their learning problems. Talk to your child’s teacher about setting up a meeting to create a structured, written plan that outlines your child’s needs and how the school will help him or her succeed. This is called an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Early treatment Children with dyslexia who get extra help in kindergarten or first grade often improve their reading skills enough to succeed in grade school and high school. Children who don’t get help until later grades may have more difficulty learning the skills needed to read well. They’re likely to lag behind academically and may never be able to catch up. A child with severe dyslexia may never have an easy time reading, but he or she can learn skills that improve reading and develop strategies to improve school performance and quality of life. What parents can do? You play a key role in helping your child succeed. Take these steps: Address the problem early. If you suspect your child has dyslexia, talk to your child’s doctor. Early intervention can improve success. Read aloud to your child. It’s best if you start when your child is 6 months old or even younger. Try listening to recorded books with your child. When