How Common Is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a reading disability that can manifest at any age. The manifestations of the disease change with age, and so can their severity. People who have dyslexia often struggle to segment words into their component sounds. Because of their difficulties, they read slowly and have trouble understanding what they read.

It is commonly understood that dyslexia is a reading difficulty. Commonly recognised in early infancy, when difficulties with reading become obvious. However, dyslexia sometimes isn't recognised for quite some time.

Inability to read has nothing to do with the presence of dyslexia. brain power. It is a neurological condition that affects the areas of your brain responsible for language processing.

Dyslexia has a biological basis, but a simple blood test or MRI scan won't reveal it. Doctors look at the findings of a battery of reading tests in addition to the patient's history and any observations made by the patient's parents, guardians, or teachers when making a diagnosis.

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Dyslexia : What Is It?

Rather of being systemic, dyslexia-related challenges tend to be more localised.

This suggests that those with dyslexia fall somewhere on the same IQ spectrum as those who do not have the disorder.

People with dyslexia often also suffer from other forms of learning disability or neurological illness. Adults and kids with dyslexia often also struggle with ADD/ADHD and/or dyspraxia.

It is a prevalent misconception that people with dyspraxia are clumsy and have trouble coordinating their movements. While it's true that some people may have these symptoms, the disorder actually causes a wide variety of impairments, including difficulties with processing information, organisation, and social skills.

Causes of Dyslexia

Dyslexia is an umbrella term for a group of symptoms that often occur together. Dyslexia could have a variety of causes and manifest itself in a variety of ways for various individuals.

Many studies point to phonological deficits as the primary cause of dyslexia. Phonology refers to the study of how languages organise their phonemes. Many adults with dyslexia likely have difficulty segmenting words because of this phonological deficiency.

Some brain imaging research indicates that the left hemisphere of the brain region responsible for language and word processing—is where this phonological impairment takes place. Therefore, the left hemisphere of the brain doesn't really function normally when reading in a person with dyslexia. People with dyslexia may also have abnormal communication between their left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Some families seem to be predisposed to having members who struggle with reading and writing. However, how exactly genes impact dyslexia risk remains a mystery to scientists. It's possible, for instance, that certain environmental risk factors turn on dyslexia genes, or that certain disorders alter the behaviour of genes and hence cause dyslexia.

It is unknown what, if anything, causes the brain to have trouble reading, whether it is a change in the structure of the brain or the way that brain processes information, or both.

What Happens When You Have Dyslexia?

People with dyslexia are sometimes stereotyped as having difficulty reading because they invert numerals and letters and read words backwards. However, reversals are common in young children and can be observed up until the first or second class.

Distinct difficulties in phoneme recognition characterise dyslexia (pronounced: FO-neems). The building blocks of language are the following (the "b" sound in "bat" is a phoneme, for example). Consequently, it's difficult to put together individual sounds and form words.

Because of this, it is difficult to read even commonly used short words, let alone sound out larger ones. Dyslexics have to spend more time than average trying to figure out how to pronounce new words. Reading longer texts requires more effort and concentration, and as a result, many readers struggle to fully understand what they've read.

People with dyslexia naturally struggle with spelling. Additionally, they may have difficulty with both oral and written communication. Because dyslexia is a disease of language processing, it can have an impact on both spoken and written communication.

Some individuals with dyslexia have milder types that may cause them to have fewer difficulties with these other facets of language. Some people are able to compensate for their dyslexia, albeit it often requires a lot of extra time and practise. Neither can dyslexia disappear on its own, nor can it be outgrown. Most people who have dyslexia can learn to read with the right support. They frequently develop their own methods of education and continue to employ those methods throughout their lives.

Dyslexia in Children

Signs for Ages 0~4

Having dyslexia in the family runs in the genes

The inability to read or write effectively is genetic and hence runs in families. So, if you or a parent had trouble reading, your kid probably would, too. You should give it some thought before deciding that it is not genetic just because it seems to have skipped a generation. People tend to cover up their poor reading abilities. Does Grandpa have decent reading skills? The majority of people who are dyslexic still do not know they have the disorder because they were never diagnosed.

Common ear infections in young children

How often did your kid (or your student) get ear infections when they were younger? While the illnesses are not directly responsible, they may explain why dyslexia is mostly an aural problem rather than a visible one. It's important to keep in mind that studies have produced contradictory results when looking at the correlation between ear infections and a given factor.

Slow to respond

Children with dyslexia may be slower to develop language skills because they have trouble discriminating and manipulating sounds. Don't assume the worst if your kid is falling behind 'the standard' if they aren't talking as quickly as other kids their age. The Mayo Clinic says that

Your baby may start to make "cooing" noises, respond to your voice, and cry for diverse reasons by the third month.

By the time your baby is six months old, you should expect to hear babbling and a wide range of sounds from him or her.

By the age of one year, your child may experiment with mimicking sounds, pronounce simple phrases like "yes," "no," "mama," and "uh-oh," and learn the names of common objects like "shoe."

They may be able to recognise common people and places by 18 months, and by 24 months, they may have learned up to 15 words and be able to string together simple phrases using those words.

Challenge in Learning to recognise letters in the alphabet 

Remembering an abstract list is the most challenging assignment for someone with dyslexia. Mastering the alphabet requires a lot of extra practise. A dyslexic child may take significantly longer than the typical child (aged 3–5) to master the alphabet. It's possible that you'll be shocked by how many reminders it takes before you forget anything. You need to be patient and refrain from saying, "but we just completed that one!"

Took too long to get the upper hand

A child's favoured hand typically develops between both the ages of two and four, and by kindergarten, it has become the dominant one. No one knows for sure why late hand domination and dyslexia in kids tend to go hand in hand, but it's best to pick a winner early on so that the child may practise writing with their stronger hand. The motor coordination skill required for writing can be perfected with more practise with the dominant hand. When writing, people with dyslexia frequently resort to using their whole hand or arm rather than just their fingers.

Signs for Ages 5-12

Problems pronouncing words with several syllables

Dyslexics tend to have more problems pronouncing longer words. It's challenging to put all the phoneme sounds in the right order. Words like "spaghetti" and "Kershmal" have a confused pronunciation because the sounds are frequently switched around (commercial). This is why establishing a firm grasp of phonemic awareness is essential for budding readers.

Keep in mind that it's not out of the ordinary for children to mix up terms, so employ caution with this signal. To begin, the issue is more severe and long-lasting for the individual with dyslexia. It's a problem that will never be solved.

Having trouble writing (also known as dysgraphia)

Dysgraphia, or trouble with writing, is common in children who struggle with dyslexia. Most dyslexics have trouble writing because they have poor fine motor skills (a weak pencil grip) and find it difficult to memorise sequences, which is especially challenging because each letter is a series of pencil strokes.

Words and letters switched around in writing

Certainly, there is some validity to the generalisation. Word reversals like "pat" becoming "tap" or "bat" becoming "pat" are possible (letter reversal). The dyslexic's difficulty is more pervasive and persists past the second grade. (We recommend the workbooks in the Reversing Reversals series, which can be found on our Teacher Resources page, for assistance with this particular issue.)

It's important to use caution when utilising this indicator, as it's normal for beginning readers to inadvertently switch the positions of a few characters, and for anyone to make a mistake when they're sleepy or distracted.

Low reading skills

The sluggish, laboured pace of reading will be a barrier to understanding. If you put so much effort into reading, how can you expect to recall what words mean?

You may also encounter strange case-insensitive guesses at names based on context or shape alone.

Low spelling skills

Words with more syllables and phonetic symbols (sounds) will be more challenging to spell. It will be especially challenging to learn irregular terms like yacht and enough. For real progress to be made, spelling standards will need to be taught explicitly. As a plus side, thanks to modern tools like spell check and voice-to-text software, correct spelling is no longer absolutely essential for writers.

Dyslexia in Children: Signs for Ages 5-12 continued

Inadequate mathematical ability (dyscalculia)

Children with dyslexia sometimes struggle with math. Roughly half of those who are dyslexic also show significant difficulties with numbers, demonstrating a lack of intuitive understanding of numerical value and numerical relationships. Memorizing schedules will be a major hassle.

Problems determining the time using an analogue clock

This is a classic sign of dyslexia, and it can occur for a variety of reasons, including problems with sequencing (which is another way of expressing before/after, in front of/behind, and left/right). Nessy Numbers is a great and cheap programme for teaching time on analogue clocks. Visit our Lesson Plans and Handouts page for more details.

It's hard to get the hang of tying your shoes

Though seemingly straightforward, the process is actually quite abstract and therefore difficult for most dyslexic people to follow. To spare your child the hassle and shame of tying their shoes, choose a pair with Velcro fasteners instead. However, you should still have your child practise at home until they have it down.

Problems with learning to write in cursive

Cursive reading and writing difficulties are also linked to dyslexia in children, for reasons that are not fully understood. Maybe it's because they're used to seeing words as whole shapes or objects and thus handwritten text looks like a never-ending word to them.

It's hard to find rhymes for

It's very perplexing the first time you notice this in your kid or pupil. To the non-dyslexic ear, rhyming is a simple matter of exchanging one syllable (one phoneme) for another. However, those who struggle with dyslexia are unable to parse (dissect and reconstruct) words in this manner. Since this is a skill that all true dyslexics lack, it is a highly reliable predictor of dyslexia.

Apologizes for rambling or stumbling over words

There will be a lot of pauses in between phrases and references to "that stuff over there." Sentences or stories are sequences that have to be assembled in the correct order, therefore problems with recalling words and retelling them are a possible cause.

Keep in mind that some persons who struggle with reading can become exceptional public speakers.

Fails to follow instructions

Dyslexics have a hard time conceptualising abstract concepts like left/right, before/after, and front/back. Some people mistakenly refer to this condition as directional dyslexia, however directions are not language. The correct term is "dysorienta!"

Have forgotten address or phone number

Addresses and phone numbers may appear to be simple and short pieces of information to remember, but in reality they are complex sequences of information that are rarely used. Information is quickly forgotten if it isn't regularly reviewed and practised.

Messy

People with dyslexia have a lot of difficulties keeping things neat and orderly, such as a messy bedroom, messy school bag, messy locker, and cluttered closet, to name a few.

Reduced confidence.

When you fail publicly and in front of your peers on a daily basis, it can be extremely disheartening if you don't have a strong support system or lots of positive reinforcement. Ben Foss came up with the term "slow drip trauma" to characterise the constant worry and pressure that persons with dyslexia typically feel. This sums up the gravity of the situation, in my opinion.

Make a point of acknowledging and praising any and all accomplishments. Spend a lot of time nurturing your child's talents, whether they lie in the realm of athletics, the arts, music, theatre, or dance.

Dyslexia in adults

Nobody knows how many grown-ups are dyslexic. There is no agreed-upon definition of dyslexia, making it difficult to study. There have been estimates that place the percentage of people with dyslexia anywhere from 5-10%. Although most cases are identified in early life, others go unnoticed. Having dyslexia is a real possibility if you've struggled with reading from a young age.

Symptoms you might recognise in yourself include:

• Adults with dyslexia may have trouble reading due to sensitivity to glare or the colour of a paper or the words. Adults with dyslexia may find it more challenging to read if the font, colour, or other qualities of the text are altered.
• Adults with dyslexia may have trouble maintaining concentration while reading, leading to frequent page turns, confusion, and frustration.
• Adults with dyslexia may avoid reading because of the difficulties it causes them, even if they have a strong desire to expand their knowledge.
• Difficulty with or aversion to taking written examinations or communicating in writing; for instance, an adult with dyslexia may be highly qualified for their job yet avoid taking the necessary written test to move up in rank. They may find that their presentations or other personal correspondence are met with criticism from colleagues or superiors.
• Mixing up words or letters that look similar when typing or reading.
• Adults with dyslexia may have trouble remembering what they wrote, losing their stream of thought, or transcribing a message accurately.
• A person with dyslexia may have problems reading a map, especially if the map includes written text, because they may have trouble telling left from right.

What Kinds Of Therapies Are Available? 

Although dyslexia can be helped, it cannot be cured. Individuals with dyslexia can benefit from a number of treatments and therapies that improve reading and learning.

There is no approved drug for treating dyslexia alone; however, some medications help alleviate symptoms of illnesses that persons with dyslexia may also have, such as ADHD.

While there is currently no known cure for dyslexia, some persons may experience a reduction or elimination of their symptoms with time.

The first step in treating dyslexia is identifying it. Some persons with dyslexia may find relief from their symptoms simply by learning that they have the condition. Some additional aid for a dyslexic learner could come from:

Influences from the natural environment

A individual with dyslexia may find it easier to overcome their disability if they are surrounded by positive people. A person with dyslexia may benefit from different means of communication or learning, such as those mentioned above.

Individuals with dyslexia are often given special consideration in the classroom and at the office in many countries. In the United States, for instance, workers with dyslexia or any other disability are shielded from discrimination under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Lifestyle and practical considerations

Reading, vocabulary, and phonological drills, together with various supplementary methods, are often effective. People with dyslexia may find some relief from reading difficulties by switching to a different typeface.

For some persons with dyslexia, interventions like musical therapy or adjusting their daily routines have been beneficial.

Those around a person with dyslexia can be of great assistance by realising that they aren't dumb or lazy, despite appearances to the contrary. Each person has their own unique set of skills, interests, and talents that should be celebrated and nurtured.

Those who struggle with dyslexia shouldn't let it hold them back from pursuing their educational and professional goals.

Educated coaches, studying aids, computer software, recorded reading assignments, and alternative exam scheduling are all options for students with dyslexia at most universities. People with dyslexia have just as much opportunity as anyone else to succeed in a variety of fields, including medicine, politics, business, the arts, education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. In spite of their difficulties in reading at school, many renowned persons with dyslexia have gone on to have fruitful careers in these and related professions.