Dyslexia Information
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 Jazzy, from Tucson, had an enormous motivation in learning to read. With her strong drive and desire, along with consistent, systematic, quality instruction, she became a strong reader, in spite of her dyslexia. |
You may be surprised to learn that some states and schools do not allow the term dyslexia to be used to describe a student’s reading difficulties!
Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties. Our dyslexia information statistics tell us that 70-80% of people with poor reading skills are dyslexic.
Let’s start from the beginning.
Origin of the Term Dyslexia
The term dyslexia originated with doctors in the late 1800’s, who were the first professionals to develop an interest in learning all about dyslexia and in explaining why some children had an unexpected difficulty in learning to read.
Some professionals use the term dyslexia when describing reading difficulties. Others use different terms, including:
- Specific reading disability
- Developmental reading disorder
- Developmental reading disability
- Intrinsic reading difficulty
- Biologically based reading difficulty
- Specific language disability
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a language based learning disability. See the official definition here.
Dyslexia results in difficulties in language skills, especially reading and spelling. Dyslexic individuals may also have difficulties with other language-related skills, such as writing, listening and speaking.
Differences in the structure and function of the brain are the cause of the symptoms of dyslexia.
Although dyslexia is a life-long condition and its impact might vary at different stages in a person’s life, timely and appropriate intervention can have a positive effect.
Appropriate intervention means sufficient early instruction with a high quality program and taught by a skilled and experienced teacher.
For intervention to be optimally successful, it needs to include Integrated Teaching, which uses methods like the Emotional Freedom Technique and Brain Gym exercises.
These help eliminate the emotional and mental blocks to optimal learning. The negative and limiting emotions and beliefs that arise due to traumatic experiences (like trying to read when you don't know how, and you see everyone else doing it easily) can actually block learning.
Dyslexia is referred to as a learning disability because affected students may find it very difficult to succeed academically in a typical school setting.
Adults with dyslexia may experience similar difficulties in the workplace.
Don’t Say “Dyslexia"
You may be surprised to find that the terms dyslexic and dyslexia are controversial. Dyslexia information, usage and definition of the term differ among states and professionals.
Some state departments of education, school administrators, teachers, parents and experts refuse to use the terms dyslexic or dyslexia. It's not that they don't understand dyslexia information, but that they use other terms to describe the condition.
On the other hand, some states, like Texas and Louisiana have a specific dyslexia classification and have special “dyslexia teachers” and “dyslexia programs.”
Some professionals use the term dyslexia broadly, to describe any difficulty in reading, writing or language. Others reserve the term for those with a specific language-based learning disability who need specific expert instruction to learn to read.
What Dyslexia is Not – Common Misconceptions About Dyslexia
Below are some things dyslexia is not:
- Dyslexia is not caused by lack of motivation or interest in reading. Lack of motivation to read and write can be caused by dyslexia. For the dyslexic person, reading and writing require a huge amount of effort, energy and concentration.
- Dyslexia is not primarily visual. It is a language-based problem.
- Dyslexia does not only affect boys. Boys are slightly more affected than girls.
- Dyslexia is not necessarily indicated by reversals of letters or words.
- Dyslexia does not mean seeing letters and numbers backwards.
- Dyslexia doesn't just occur in highly intelligent people. Dyslexia occurs in all levels of intellectual ability.
- Dyslexia doesn’t just occur in families who don’t do much reading. It can occur in any family.
Learn more about the symptoms of dyslexia.
I Can't Spell the @&*% Word!
Can you spell dyslexia?
It's unfortunate - but also ironic and comical that the words dyslexia and dyslexic are often mispronounced and misspelled!
I’ve seen dyslexic spelled dislexic and dyslectic. I’ve seen dyslexia spelled dylexsia, dysleksi, dislexia, dsylexia and dylexia.
But hey, as Andrew Jackson reportedly said, “It’s a damn poor mind that can think of only one way to spell a word.”
Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions relating to dyslexia information or any topic on Learning Inside Out.
Source: Finding the Answers…Realizing the Potential, International Dyslexia Association
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