What is Dyslexia?
From The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
World-renowned expert on reading and dyslexia, Dr. Sally Shaywitz answers...
World-renowned expert on reading and dyslexia, Dr. Sally Shaywitz answers...
Dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual that has the intelligence to be a much better reader. It is a language-based neurological and developmental learning disability. It is characterized by difficulties with written language, specifically word recognition and spelling that can hinder reading comprehension, as well as the development of vocabulary and background knowledge. Generally, this is due to a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities. Dyslexia is scientifically validated and very specific.
Research shows that the early years, especially kindergarten and first grade, are considered the most beneficial time for intervention because a child's brain is highly adaptable and rapidly developing during this period, allowing for significant learning and development through early intervention strategies.
What we know about dyslexia...
*Often a family history of similar difficulties
*Inconsistent "misfiring" of the brain
*It effects 20% of the population
*It is a difficulty in language, not in vision
*It falls along a continuum of severity of impairment (mild to severe)
*The core problem is phonologic-turning print into sound
*The exact causes of dyslexia is not completely clear
*Dyslexia is lifelong but, with early screening and evidence-based remediation, it can be improved over time with
Common characteristics of dyslexia
*Reading difficulties: often slow and labored
*Writing difficulties: difficulty getting thoughts into written form
General Rule: By about age 6, children should should be writing their letters correctly (b vs d)
*Mathematics difficulties: word problems, basic math operations and calculations and memorizing multiplication facts
*Spelling difficulties
*Delayed speech
General Rule: 1st word about 1yr, phrases about 18 months to 2yrs
*Oral language difficulties
Incorrect phoneme is accessed: the word may be close in sound but, not in meaning (volcano for tornado)
*Difficulty with and/or mispronunciation of words: sometimes leaving off beginning sounds or inverting sounds (aminal vs animal)
General Rule: By about 5-6 yrs of age, children should have little problem saying most words properly
*Desensitization to rhyming words: difficulty focusing on just one part of the word (sad and lad - ad is the focus)
General Rule: By about 6 yrs old
*Word retrieval / recall difficulties: ("It was just on the tip of my tongue." or "I just can't get the word out.")
talking "around" the word
use of words lacking in meaning and/or specificity (stuff or things)
*Difficulty recalling names and dates
*Problems with directionality: lost within a building, out walking, or driving
Strengths:
*Strengths in speaking and reasoning
*Generally, an average to above average IQ
*Great ideas, imagination, conceptualization, and reasoning
For characteristics of Dyslexia at every age, go to the following websites:
International Dyslexia Association: dyslexiaida.org
Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity: dyslexia.yale.edu
Texas Dyslexia Handbook: region10.org
"The most critical accommodations for the dyslexic reader it the provision of extra time.
Dyslexia robs a person of time; accommodations return it." -Dr. Sally Shaywitz
Research shows that the early years, especially kindergarten and first grade, are considered the most beneficial time for intervention because a child's brain is highly adaptable and rapidly developing during this period, allowing for significant learning and development through early intervention strategies.
What we know about dyslexia...
*Often a family history of similar difficulties
*Inconsistent "misfiring" of the brain
*It effects 20% of the population
*It is a difficulty in language, not in vision
*It falls along a continuum of severity of impairment (mild to severe)
*The core problem is phonologic-turning print into sound
*The exact causes of dyslexia is not completely clear
*Dyslexia is lifelong but, with early screening and evidence-based remediation, it can be improved over time with
Common characteristics of dyslexia
*Reading difficulties: often slow and labored
*Writing difficulties: difficulty getting thoughts into written form
General Rule: By about age 6, children should should be writing their letters correctly (b vs d)
*Mathematics difficulties: word problems, basic math operations and calculations and memorizing multiplication facts
*Spelling difficulties
*Delayed speech
General Rule: 1st word about 1yr, phrases about 18 months to 2yrs
*Oral language difficulties
Incorrect phoneme is accessed: the word may be close in sound but, not in meaning (volcano for tornado)
*Difficulty with and/or mispronunciation of words: sometimes leaving off beginning sounds or inverting sounds (aminal vs animal)
General Rule: By about 5-6 yrs of age, children should have little problem saying most words properly
*Desensitization to rhyming words: difficulty focusing on just one part of the word (sad and lad - ad is the focus)
General Rule: By about 6 yrs old
*Word retrieval / recall difficulties: ("It was just on the tip of my tongue." or "I just can't get the word out.")
talking "around" the word
use of words lacking in meaning and/or specificity (stuff or things)
*Difficulty recalling names and dates
*Problems with directionality: lost within a building, out walking, or driving
Strengths:
*Strengths in speaking and reasoning
*Generally, an average to above average IQ
*Great ideas, imagination, conceptualization, and reasoning
For characteristics of Dyslexia at every age, go to the following websites:
International Dyslexia Association: dyslexiaida.org
Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity: dyslexia.yale.edu
Texas Dyslexia Handbook: region10.org
"The most critical accommodations for the dyslexic reader it the provision of extra time.
Dyslexia robs a person of time; accommodations return it." -Dr. Sally Shaywitz
