In some cases, a person might have average or above-average intelligence, as well as normal vision, but still perform poorly in school. The culprit might be a learning disorder known as dyslexia. Once the proper diagnosis has been made, academic intervention and emotional support to encourage independent thinking can be provided.
Defining Dyslexia
If an individual has dyslexia, he or she has a type of learning disorder, or reading disability, that impacts certain areas of the brain and makes reading difficult. Because the language-processing areas of the brain are affected, the person experiences problems involving learning how to identify speech sounds and learning how these sounds are related to letters as well as words.
Identifying Risk Factors
Having a low birth weight or being born prematurely can put someone at risk for dyslexia. Being exposed during pregnancy to certain substances, such as alcohol, nicotine, drugs, or infection, that could alter fetal brain development may be another contributing factor. As well, an individual might be at risk if his or her family has a history of dyslexia or other types of learning disorders. Finally, differences in certain areas of the brain, such as the parts necessary for reading, could increase a person’s risk.
Affecting the Population
Dyslexia is thought to impact a similar number of males and females. Approximately 20% of the population of the United States has dyslexia, and out of all neuro-cognitive disorders, dyslexia is the most common. Considering its prevalence and the value of early intervention, it is important to recognize early signs of dyslexia.
Some signs or symptoms in a young child include being late to begin talking and slow to learn new words; experiencing problems when playing games that involve rhyming or learning nursery rhymes; having difficulties when attempting to remember or to name colors, numbers, and letters; and having trouble when trying to form words correctly, as in confusing similar-sounding words or reversing the sounds in words.
Leaving Dyslexia Untreated
For a variety of reasons, dyslexia might go undiagnosed, and this can result in complications. If untreated, dyslexia can lead to social problems; inappropriate behavior, aggression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and a withdrawal from teachers, friends, and parents could occur. Widespread academic difficulties may become apparent; since the ability to read is a basic skill and underlying component of many academic subjects, students with unrecognized dyslexia will likely be at a disadvantage compared to their peers and struggle to keep up.
Problems may persist into adulthood; long-term social, economic, and educational consequences may result if a child is unable to reach his or her full potential. With the appropriate intervention, however, an individual can get back on the correct path for success.