Dyslexia at a Glance

We are sure by now you all must have revisited Taare Zameen Par and the very cute Ishan Avasthi, who was shown as the dyslexic child in this famous Aamir Khan movie. The film gave us a beautiful message and made us realize how we as parents might be neglecting our child's problems with reading and writing assuming that to be his way of escaping studies. We may never realize, but this disability might be a sign of Dyslexia. 

Dyslexia is defined as a particular reading disability occurring because of a defect in brain's processing of the graphic symbols. This disability changes the way our brain processes a written material. Dyslexia is generally characterized by problems in word recognition, spelling as well as decoding. People who battle dyslexia tend to have difficulties with reading comprehension resulting into poor reading. It starts in the childhood and if left untreated only worsens with growing age. 

It is neurological and in most cases a genetic condition. It certainly is not the outcome of poor teaching, or upbringing. Dyslexia can be found in people from all backgrounds irrespective of their economic status. 

Effects of Dyslexia

It can affect people dis-similarly. Some dyslexic kids can have problem with reading and spelling, while a few find it hard to write, or to make out left from right. Some kids display very few signs of difficulty when it comes to early reading and writing. However, they can come up with complicated  language skills, later on in their lives.

Dyslexia makes it difficult to express the thoughts clearly. People who battle it find it hard to make use of the vocabulary and organize their thoughts in order to make a conversation. Some dyslexic people can even have some problem in understanding what people say to them. It's often mistaken to be a hearing problem, which certainly is not the case. 

Famous People with Dyslexia 

As said, it is one condition that can happen to anyone around the globe. We have many celebrities and famous personalities who have battled dyslexia in their early childhood. The list is really long but some of the renowned ones are:

Abhishek Bachchan- Bollywood actor

Albert Einstein-  physicist and philosopher of science

Alexander Graham Bell - inventor of the telephone

Leonardo da Vinci- famous painter

Steve Jobs- co-founder of Apple Inc.

Tom Cruise – Hollywood actor.

Signs & Symptoms of Dyslexia

Dyslexic kids can have moderate to serious deterioration. The warning signs vary greatly from person to person. 

Young children can show following symptoms if they have dyslexia:

• A late talker
• Problems with pronunciation 
• Difficulty in rhyming words
• Inability to learn basics like the colors, number, and alphabet
• Handwriting troubles 
• Confusion in understanding the mirror letters like "b" and "d" 
• Difficulty in learning the connection between the letters and their sounds

Signs in older children

• Difficulty to write and read, also to memorize the spelling 
• Problem with schoolwork
• Failing to learn any foreign language
• Poor handwriting
• Trouble in understanding numbers
• Difficulty to understand a sequence of directions

Causes of Dyslexia

Researchers so far haven't been able to find as to what exactly causes dyslexia though they say that it occurs due to the difference in the way brain processes the information. Studies over the years have given indication that it more likely runs in genes. 

Treating Dyslexia

Identifying dyslexia at an early stage helps a lot. However, we must remember that it is not a disease. It's basically a disability that prevents one from mastering the reading and writing skills. Though there is no specific treatment or cure available, with the help of specialists and some key methods, a lot can be done to work on the poor reading and writing skills. The following strategies can be used to make progress with a dyslexic child.

• Exposing the child to early reading, drawing, writing.

• Encouraging the development of basic letter formation, the recognition skills and connection between letters and sounds.

• Helping the child practice reading distinct texts. This can be books, comics or the magazines.

• Practicing the use of sight, touch as well as sound while introducing new ideas.

• Modifying classroom techniques. This calls for giving the child extra time to finish the assignments, and providing help to take notes, and other assessment.

Coping with studies can be challenging for a dyslexic child and also for the parents. But you must remember it is just a conditon that won't allow your child to master reading and writing skills at the appropraite age.
 

Click here to know some tips that will help you as Parents of children with Dyslexia.