Dyslexia

What Is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which affects the acquisition of fluent and accurate reading and spelling skills; approx. 10% of the population is affected.

 

About Dyslexia

A great deal of research has been done in recent years on the cause of dyslexia and it may be that a great deal more needs to be done before we have a definitive answer.  We do know that developmental dyslexia is inherited, only slightly more common in males than females and that one is born with it.  While no conclusive research has been carried out in Ireland to determine how prevalent it is, studies in other countries would suggest that approx. 8-10% of the population are likely to be affected.  It would seem that people with dyslexia share a cluster of genes, which may, it is believed, account for the variations in the nature and extent of specific learning difficulties.

Experts are not agreed, however, on the underlying causes of dyslexia.  The prevalent research considers that a phonological deficit is the root cause of dyslexia.  Evidence from brain imaging suggests that people with dyslexia do not activate the left hemisphere (the language side) in the brain as much when reading as non-dyslexic readers, and that there is less engagement of the areas of the brain which match letters with sounds.

Professor John Stein, Oxford, believes that auditory and visual difficulties are caused by abnormal magnocellular development.  Malfunction in the development of sensory nerves happens at the foetal stage and is said to cause eye convergence difficulties and inhibit steady eye fixation.

Yet another view is that the role of the part of the brain which controls balance (the cerebellum) is crucial and that differences in this area make it difficult for children with dyslexia to acquire automaticity in tasks and may further inhibit the development of language dexterity and motor skills.

Experts do agree that dyslexia describes differences in the way in which the brain processes information, and while there may be differences in the way in which the brain works, this does not imply any abnormality, disease or defect.

 

Managing Dyslexia

Whatever the origins of the difficulty, the truth is that children and adults with dyslexia learn differently.  If this difference is not accommodated within the education system, the student may have difficulty in learning to read, write, spell and handle numbers.  Some difficulties will be mild and the individual may cope without extra support.  Others are severe and the student will require specialist help and tuition.  Early identification and appropriate interventions are necessary to enable people with dyslexia to achieve their true potential.

Research and practice shows us that multi-sensory methods of learning are beneficial.  This means using many sensory channels when learning information such as:

• auditory (listening)
• visual (seeing, using diagrams, colour)
• kinaesthetic (touch, movement, action)

The more channels used the more effective the learning will be.

Technology has been a boon to people with dyslexia. There is a wide range of technological aids available which can also help people to manage their dyslexia independently.

Dyslexia is a life-long condition. It does not go away.  However, with the right supports and aids, an individual can learn to manage their dyslexia and become an independent self sufficient learner and worker.

https://www.dyslexia.ie/about/ [1]