What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a type of learning disability. A person with a learning disability has trouble processing words or numbers. There are several kinds of learning disabilities; dyslexia is the term used when people have difficulty learning to read, even though they are smart enough and are motivated to learn. The word dyslexia comes from two Greek words: dys, which means abnormal or impaired, and lexis, which refers to language or words. Dyslexia is not a disease. It's a condition that you are born with, and it often runs in families. People with dyslexia are not stupid or lazy. Most have average or above-average intelligence, and they work very hard to overcome their learning problems.
Characteristics
· Poor reading skills, despite having normal intelligence
· Poor spelling and writing skills
· Difficulty finishing assignments and tests within time limits
· Difficulty remembering the right names for things
· Difficulty memorizing written lists and numbers
· Difficulty with directions (telling right from left or up from down) or reading maps
Characteristics
· Poor reading skills, despite having normal intelligence
· Poor spelling and writing skills
· Difficulty finishing assignments and tests within time limits
· Difficulty remembering the right names for things
· Difficulty memorizing written lists and numbers
· Difficulty with directions (telling right from left or up from down) or reading maps
Causes
There are many possible causes of dyslexia. However it is important to remember that no one knows exactly what causes it yet. Learning about these theories can give you a clearer understanding of your own symptoms and how to tackle them.
· Phonological Processing: The most widely supported theory of how dyslexia affects reading and writing is known as the "phonological processing impairment theory". To better understand this theory, it is useful to distinguish between how spoken and written language are understood. This ability is known as phonological processing. It is thought that people with dyslexia find phonological processing much more difficult than other people, because their brains function in a different way. · Genetic causes: Dutch scientists reported that dyslexia is a "highly heritable learning disorder" that has a complex genetic architecture. Over the past ten years, they added, scientists have identified several candidate genes that may contribute to dyslexia susceptibility. · Toxins: Toxins are agents that can cause malfunctions or defects in the developing fetus which can lead to potential causes of intellectual disabilities. Sometimes levels of toxins may not be high enough to cause intellectual/mental retardation but are high enough to cause a learning disability. |
Educational Considerations
Cognitive Training
Involves changing thought processes , providing strategies for learning and teaching self initiative. It is particularly concerned with modifying unobservable thought processes that prompts observable changes in behavior. This is particularly important for students with learning disabilities because of its focus on problems of meta cognition and motivation. Some specific techniques involved are self instructions, self monitoring, scaffolded instruction and reciprocal teaching. Instructional approaches designed to address academics
Comprehension instruction Direct instructions: Focus on the details of the instructional process and stress on a systematic analysis of concept to be taught rather than analysis of the characteristics of the students. An important component to direct instructions is task analysis. Peer tutoring Two strategies used consistently are ‘classwide peer tutoring (CWPT)’ and ‘peer assisted learning strategies (PALS)’ |