Get your own Free Home PageWhat is Dyslexia?
| In this module we discuss the meaning of dyslexia |
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The word dyslexia comes from Greek. It means 'difficulty with words or language'. This deceptively simple phrase covers a very wide range of difficulties, from very mild to severe. It is caused by differences in the section of the brain which processes language and can affect the skills needed for learning and using written forms of communication. It may affect reading, writing, spelling and sometimes, numeracy and organisational abilities. Dyslexia is still widely thought of as 'word blindness' but this is only part of the problem.
Dyslexic people are not necessarily intellectually impaired and oral skills can be equal to those of any so-called 'normally literate' person. It is also possible, with suitable help, for dyslexic people to become fully literate. There are often many other valuable, problem solving abilities which can be harnessed to achieve success.
It is estimated that over 4% of the population are affected to a significant level. Many adults have never been diagnosed and it is relatively recently that growing numbers of children are being recognised. The British Dyslexia Association suggest that at least one in ten children suffer from the condition and some of the latest statistics suggest it may be as high as one in eight. This suggests there may be possibly two or three dyslexic children in every class.
Specific Learning Difficulties is sometimes used to describe dyslexia. It is an umbrella term which describes particular difficulties, rather than general learning difficulties.
There may be other conditions which accompany dyslexia and which sometimes hide the associated problems. Some of these may be:
Where behavioural problems occur, often due to the student's inability to
understand what is required of him, the true problem takes second place. The need to control the inappropriate behaviour takes precedence.
You could think of it as being told to follow a course of action, in a language you do not understand. You may wish to follow the instructions but failure to understand could make you behave aggressively. How many of us have tried to follow the instructions to assemble a DIY product? Even the diagrams do not seem to resemble the pieces you have before you!
Who can have Dyslexia?
Self assessment test |
| People with dyslexia may have difficulty with more than reading. What might these
difficulties be? Check back to see if you are correct. Think of some occasion when you have found it difficult to make yourself understood and remember the frustration you may have experienced. Ever tried to get medication for diarrhoea in an Italian pharmacy ... when you don't speak Italian? |
The simple answer is ANYONE. It does not discriminate. There is no apparent relevance to social structure, background or any sort of class system. There is no operation to cure it and it does not simply get better. What can be done is to improve ways of dealing with it and to find strategies to help everyone to live normally. The parent who is aware of difficulties their child encounters, may be able to recognise some of the pointers. A family history of dyslexia may be known but many adults have never been diagnosed and are simply aware of difficulties they have learned to live with.
Teachers should be able to recognise symptoms from the earliest days in school, though large class sizes may make this difficult. The sooner a diagnosis can be obtained, the sooner helpful strategies can be adopted to improve learning. If a child continues to suffer difficulty, anxiety may impede social development and self-esteem will begin to drop. The child may begin to believe he/she is stupid or backward. Peer groups may tease and the child becomes a victim. Social skills may also fall behind and the child feels friendless, unattractive and possibly victimised. Any problems must therefore, be discovered and some sort of action sought.
There are many famous people who have dyslexia and have found ways to achieve whatever they have wanted to. Actors such as Susan Hampshire, Nicholas Parsons, TV presenter Anthea Turner, Jackie Stewart, racing car driver, Richard Branson the entrepreneur and a leading barrister are just a few people who have overcome their difficulties, to follow a chosen career.
It is often left to the parent to initiate diagnosis. Publicity is sometimes given to the sort of battle that has to be undertaken to gain recognition. I have heard teachers complain that some parents are unwilling to accept that their offspring is less bright than they had hoped and are merely seeking an excuse. Dyslexia may be a convenient label to attach to their child to avoid having a child with learning difficulties. Even armed with their correct diagnosis, getting help is still something that may have to be fought for.
At all stages, there are definite signs which may indicate dyslexia. It is often the parent who becomes aware of something being 'not quite right'. Knowing what to look for, is the key to a diagnosis. Professional help must be sought to make a final diagnosis.
How Soon Can Dyslexia be Recognised?
There are signs well before school age which may show a child is at risk:
In the pre-school child
Not all dyslexic children show these all these signs. Many small children make these same mistakes and should not cause concern where any of these occur occasionally. Dyslexia is indicated when difficulties are severe and persist over a number of years, or where there are several such difficulties in a milder form.
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