What Is Dyslexia?

Learning disorders, such as dyslexia, create a variety of challenges for people at various ages and in different settings. “Learning disabilities” or “learning disorders” are sweeping terms that describe a broad range of learning challenges for young school students, according to HelpGuide.org. If the problem is not addressed in youth, a child has a greater chance of carrying the disability into adulthood.

The important thing for educators, parents and the students themselves to remember is that learning disabilities indicate that students see, hear, understand and express things differently. It has little, if anything, to do with a student’s intelligence or potential to excel in school. With the right learning tools to counter their dyslexia or other learning disorder, students can find the same success in their studies as students without learning challenges.

What Is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects a student’s “ability to read, spell, write, and speak,” notes WebMD. This cluster of difficulties for students culminates in the language-based learning disorder of dyslexia.

This learning challenge typically only affects a student’s language functions, allowing them to easily manage typical classroom environments. It does, in rare circumstances, qualify a student for special education, along with special considerations, accommodations and support services.

What Causes Dyslexia?

There is no definitive and stated cause of dyslexia, but thanks to the data studied from imaging scans, there are some reasonable clues. These anatomical and brain imagery readings indicate that those with dyslexia have differing brain function patterns. Basically, it is a matter of timing since the parts of someone’s brain they need when reading are not activated.

What Are Symptoms Dyslexic Children and Adults Experience?

Students may suffer from lackluster, or even poor grades, when it is clear that they are bright and earnest learners if they have dyslexia. Students often struggle and feel frustrated, but they may not feel comfortable telling their teachers and parents about their struggles. This lack of communication can leave them with poor grades and at risk for not pursuing academic achievement to the fullest of their ability.

Who Struggles with Dyslexia?

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) reports that about 15 to 20 percent of the entire population has some symptoms associated with this learning challenge, which include slow reading, poor reading comprehension, poor writing, and mixing up words.

How Is Dyslexia Diagnosed?

Once educators and parents report their suspicion that a student may suffer from a learning disorder, the school may first track the student’s progress with a screening test to use as a baseline metric. The school may choose to then give the student reading and writing materials specifically used to determine whether a student has this learning disorder.

How Is This Learning Challenge Treated?

Once diagnosed, the student can start working toward success. Schools often have programs implemented to help dyslexic students. The specially trained educators will help the students with more structured and systematic learning instruction. Additional strategies involve offering new methods of information delivery to students, such as through audio books and educational videos. Students may also work with a special classroom teacher, along with a private tutor hired by their parents.

It also helps students to deal with the emotional effects of their condition, reminding them that dyslexia simply offers them more complex challenges in their efforts to succeed.

Dyslexia Requires Creativity in Learning

With attentive teachers, parents and school administrators, helping students with dyslexia comes down to designing and implementing creative new pathways to educational success.

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