learning

READING

Dyslexia is a perceptual disorder often among persons of normal, or even above average, intelligence. The reader is unable to perceive correctly what is on a page. Letters and numbers often appear reversed: "b" seems to be "d," "quite" is "quiet," and "from" is "form." The reader tends to leave out letters or words or insert words or letters that are not there. Vowel and consonant sounds may be confused. Many dyslexics are left-handed or are able to write with either hand. They often confuse left and right. Learning to speak may also be delayed beyond infancy. The condition seems to be inherited and is more often found among boys than girls. It may persist into adulthood, even with treatment.

Some researchers believe that latent dyslexia may be aggravated by the way reading is taught. The modern whole-word, or look-and-say, method seems to be more of a hindrance to learning for dyslexics than it is for ordinary pupils. The phonetic method of teaching students to learn letters and sound them out appears to achieve better reading results. The problem of words that cannot be sounded out--such as rough, laugh, or through--is not solved by phonetics. These words must simply be memorized.

For children with dyslexia--estimated to be as high as 15 percent of the school-age population in the United States--the problem can be compounded by failure of parents or teachers to recognize the condition. This can easily lead to emotional problems for dyslexic children, who cannot understand their failure to keep up with their classmates.

Researchers try to detect the potential for dyslexia by laboratory procedures. These include electroencephalography (monitoring of brain waves) and Positron Emission Tomography, another means of measuring brain activity and discovering lesions. In the mid-1980s a new test for the condition was devised. The Decoding Skills Test measures a child's ability to decode, or read aloud, words that should be comprehensible at a particular grade level. The test also detects the ability to speak the words correctly. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development can provide information on dyslexia and the testing procedures. Material can also be obtained from the Orton Dyslexia Society.

top | next | table of contents

home | about me | diagnosis | behaviors | faqs | personal stories | parenting
education | workplace | articles | meds | humor | resources | send page