Understanding Dyslexia: The Science of Dyslexia

Mar 4

4 min read

Dyslexia is a common learning difference that impacts millions of people around the world, yet it remains widely misunderstood. Characterized by difficulties with reading, spelling, and writing, dyslexia is often mistaken as a sign of low intelligence or laziness, but it has nothing to do with a person's intellectual abilities. People with dyslexia have brains that process written language differently, which can make tasks like reading aloud or comprehending text particularly challenging. Read the following blog to learn more!

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a neurological condition that primarily affects a person's ability to read, write, and spell. It is the most common learning disability and is estimated to affect around 5–10% of the population. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence—people with dyslexia typically have average to above-average intelligence, but they face difficulties in processing written and spoken language. Dyslexia is caused by differences in the way the brain processes language and it's believed that these differences involve brain regions responsible for language processing.

Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia

Diagnosing someone with dyslexia can be difficult, because it can be hard to spot out. There are many symptoms and cues to indicate there might be an issue. These cues can occur before a child starts school, during school, and into adulthood. Having dyslexia can cause many symptoms that can impact one’s life.

Signs of Dyslexia:

Prior to school, if a child starts talking late, learning slowly, has problems forming words, and has trouble remembering letters/numbers/colors/shapes, the child may have dyslexia. In school, if a child or teen is reading below the average grade level, difficulties understanding/ processing concepts, has trouble finding the right words in situations, or has difficulty spelling, there may be a case of dyslexia. Into adulthood, if a person has a hard time reading, mispronouncing words, or spending lots of time doing activities that involve reading, dyslexia is a possible reason.

Symptoms of Dyslexia:

· Reading Difficulties- People with dyslexia often find it challenging to read quickly and accurately. This can make tasks like reading instructions, following recipes, or even reading street signs slower and more frustrating.

· Spelling and Writing Difficulties- Dyslexia can cause frequent spelling errors, even with simple words. People with dyslexia may also have difficulty writing coherently or organizing their thoughts in written form.

· Trouble with Time Management and Organization- Individuals with dyslexia may struggle with organizing their time, tasks, or belongings. For example, remembering appointments, deadlines, or following step-by-step instructions can be more difficult.

Causes of Dyslexia

There are a few possible causes to suffering with dyslexia. Some of these causes can be controlled, others cannot be controlled.

· Genetics- Dyslexia is highly genetic and runs in families. A child with one parent with dyslexia has a 30% to 50% chance of inheriting it.

· Brain function and development- The left parietotemporal, occipitotemporal areas, fusiform, lingual gyrus, and the cerebellum are all areas involved with dyslexia. If these areas are damaged or don’t function properly, the chances of developing dyslexia increase significantly.

· Environmental Factors- Certain prenatal factors, such as maternal health, smoking, drug use, or complications during pregnancy, may contribute to the development of dyslexia.

Kinds of Dyslexia

Experts and doctors have created categories to group several common types of dyslexia together to increase the effectiveness of treatment.

· Phonological Dyslexia- deals with difficulties in matching sounds to symbols and breaking down the sounds of language. Individuals with phonological dyslexia struggle to decode or sound out words. It’s believed that phonological dyslexia is the most common type of dyslexia.

· Rapid Naming Dyslexia- People who struggle with the ability to rapidly name colors, numbers, and letters when presented with them may have rapid naming dyslexia. This type of dyslexia may be linked to both reading speed and the processing speed for reading. Individuals with rapid naming dyslexia can say the names of the colors, numbers, and letters, but it takes them much longer to come up with the correct word.

· Double Deficit Dyslexia- A person with double deficit dyslexia struggles with two aspects of reading. These two aspects often include naming speed and identifying the sounds in words. This type of dyslexia is a combination of rapid naming and phonological and is not uncommon, regarded as the most severe type of dyslexia.

· Surface Dyslexia- An individual who can sound out new words with ease but fails to recognize familiar words by sight may have surface dyslexia. This type of dyslexia affects words that need to be memorized because they don’t sound how they are spelled, making it more difficult to sound them out.

Treatments and Solutions

Currently, there is no known or set cure for people who suffer from dyslexia. However, there are kinds of specialized support and treatments used to help improve the areas that are less strong due to dyslexia. Some of these treatments include:

· Speech Therapy- speech-language pathologists can help improve their ability to process and produce language. Therapy might include exercises focused on sound recognition, syllable segmentation, and phoneme blending.

· Language Therapy- Specialized language therapists work with individuals to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, and expressive language skills, particularly if they are struggling with writing or verbal expression.

· Technology- Programs convert written text into spoken words, helping individuals with dyslexia access written material without struggling with reading. This can be especially useful for schoolwork, work-related tasks, and personal reading.

· One-on-one tutoring can offer focused attention and tailored strategies for improving reading and writing skills.

· Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CPT) CBT is primarily used to address emotional and psychological challenges, it can help individuals with dyslexia build coping strategies for managing frustration, low self-esteem, and anxiety related to learning difficulties.

· Phonics-Based Instruction: A structured approach to teaching reading that focuses on the relationship between letters and sounds. Phonics instruction helps dyslexic individuals improve their ability to sound out words.