According to the International Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”
Dyslexia is considered a learning disability. It’s actually a language processing disorder that makes reading, writing, spelling and occasionally speech, difficult.
The dyslexic brain is built and wired differently than the average brain.
Dyslexia is an inherited condition. If you have dyslexic parents, you have a 50% chance of being dyslexic. If you are dyslexic, your children have a 50% chance of being dyslexic too.
Dyslexia affects people differently. Some children demonstrate speech delays at a very young age, while others are successful in school until about third grade. Although poor reading, writing and spelling are usually indicators, there are many other tell tale signs. Some children have difficulty discriminating their left from their right, they have trouble tying their shoes, telling time and even following sequences, like directions.
Many times a dyslexic’s auditory processing skills, processing sounds, are hindered. They may not be able to follow multi-step oral directions or even express themselves clearly.
Abstract ideas and non-literal language can be difficult for them to comprehend. Many need concrete images in order to process the verbal information. That's why they'll skip words like the, an, a in reading and writing. Articles are not concrete words.
Normally vision and hearing are unaffected by dyslexia, and people with average to genius intelligence can be diagnosed as dyslexic.
You don't need to be diagnosed to understand how your brain works. Just knowing that your, or your student's, brain is different will help.
Know that dyslexic's aren't broken, they're gifted! Just learn how to teach that amazing brain and the world will change !
Look for our "What Dyslexia Looks Like" freebie on our freebies page.
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