When a child with normal vision, hearing, and intelligence can’t learn to read or write, a learning disability may be the problem. The first signs of dyslexia are difficulties learning basic reading and writing skills. Adults have difficulties spelling, memorizing, summarizing, and reading aloud. Dyslexia treatments use multisensory techniques to teach reading, writing, and mnemonic devices. When dyslexia is recognized and specialized education provided, students succeed in school and in the workplace.
When undiagnosed, intelligent students are frustrated by their inability to learn to read. Early diagnosis saves child and parents from years of worry and frustration. Early signs are difficulty learning to read, spell, and sound out words. Writing efforts show frequent letter reversal and mirror writing. Other signs are difficulties learning left from right, poor rhyming skills, and difficulties comprehending written material.
Educational specialists use multisensory techniques including verbal, auditory, and kinesthetic. Oral learning increases comprehension and spelling skills. Feeling the shape of letters by tracing or forming letters out of clay are strategies that improve writing skills. Another variant of feeling the letters is the use of wooden alphabet blocks, painted on the correct side. Some dyslexics keep an alphabet card with their writing supplies. Forming cursive letters seems to be easier for the dyslexic brain to process.
Testing includes reading, spelling, writing. The specialist looks for mirror writing, letter reversal, dropping, changing, or adding words, transposing letters and words, and pulling words from different lines. Testing identifies dyslexia and the problem areas. From this information a learning specialist can recommend helpful learning techniques.
Schools in the US are required by law to provide specialized education to students with learning disabilities. If your child is dyslexic, ask for an IEP, an Individualized Education Plan, setting specific goals and strategies to measure your child’s success. Accommodations can include extra time to take tests, oral assistance with tests, and use of a laptop for writing tests. Audiobooks may be available for some classes.
Some of the specialized programs used in schools include Corrective Reading, Failure Free Reading Program, Lindamood-Bell Program, PALS Reading, and the Wilson Reading System. Since every dyslexics learning style and learning disabilities are different, it’s best to consult an educational specialist for assessment, tutoring, and program recommendations. Daily practice is essential. Age is no barrier to treatment. The brain is able to reorganize and develop new neural pathways throughout our lives.
It’s hard to comprehend reading materials when it’s a struggle to read. A severe dyslexic may never be a fluent reader but there’s no reason to despair. With a laptop and spellcheck, dyslexics can be prolific and creative writers. Text to audio software translates written information for oral learners. Taping one’s notes and audiobooks are valuable coping strategies. Other coping techniques include mnemonic devices to memorize numerical information, color coding types of information, a GPS for travel.
This learning disability runs in families. It’s not associated with physical disabilities or any limits on intelligence. Many successful personalities from many different walks of life have struggled with this neural processing disorder. Some of these include Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Mohammad Ali, John Lennon, and Tom Cruise.
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