| What do Thomas Edison, Agatha Christy, Albert Einstein,
and Whoopi Goldberg all have in common? All faced a
language learning difference called dyslexia.
For more see:
Famous People with the Gift of Dyslexia
Dyslexia dĭs-lĕk´sēə:
Noun: A learning disorder marked
by impairment of the ability to recognize and comprehend
written words. Etymology: New Latin : dys– + Greek
lexis, speech (from legein to speak). (American
Heritage Dictionary)
Dyslexia is a specific learning
disability that is neurological in origin. It is
characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or
fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and
decoding abilities. These difficulties typically
result from a deficit in the phonological component
of language that is often unexpected in relation
to other cognitive abilities and the provision of
effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences
may include problems in reading comprehension and
reduced reading experience that can impede growth
of vocabulary and background knowledge.
Adopted by the IDA Board, November
2002 and by the National Institutes of Health, 2002.
It is estimated that as much as 20% of the general
population struggle with some form of reading disability.
While some cases are mild and only cause occasional
issues in school, others can be severe. Children may
find themselves unable to read at grade level, struggling
with each syllable they read and having little or no
comprehension what they are reading.
But there can be a positive side to dyslexia. Dyslexic
children often grow up to be surgeons, artists, architects,
paleontologists, engineers, actors, statesmen, athletes
and even writers. Despite their frustrations, our children
are often persistent, curious, insightful, and creative.
They exhibit an intuitive awareness of the environment
as well as the feelings of others. Most of all,
they desire the opportunity to show what they can do.
Common Characteristics of Dyslexia include:
- Often gifted and creative
- Difficulty rhyming words and sounds
- Poor sequencing of numbers (12 for 21) and words
(was for saw)
- Poor spelling
- Avoids reading aloud
- Difficulty organizing ideas to speak or write
- Avoids writing tasks
- Left/right confusion
- Slow to memorize alphabet and math facts
- Reading comprehension difficulties
- Trouble following oral instructions
- Appearing restless or easily distracted
For more see:
Dyslexia Facts by the International Dyslexia Association
When reading aloud, does your child reread or skip
lines, have difficulty remembering small words like
the, a or for, guess similar words that start with the
same letter, leave out or substitute sounds, complain
that “I do better if I read to myself,” or complain
that younger children read better than they do?
If so, you should discuss your observations with your
child’s teacher, school counselor or doctor and determine
whether to seek testing.
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