Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a specific reading learning disorder that involves difficulty separating words
from sentences and separating parts of a word from each other.

Symptoms / Diagnosis / Treatment /
  • The child may be delayed in speaking, have problems connecting sentences, have difficulty blending sounds
  • Tests are administered to measure intelligence and evaluate school performance.
  • Treatment involves direct word recognition exercises.

Dyslexia is a type of learning disorder. There are no accurate statistics on the number of children with dyslexia, but approximately 15% of schoolchildren receive special training or instruction for reading difficulties. The disorder is noted to affect boys at higher rates than girls. However, this may simply be due to it being underdiagnosed in girls. Dyslexia tends to run in families.

Dyslexia occurs when the brain has difficulty associating sounds with symbols (letters). This difficulty results from unexplained problems with some of the brain's wiring. The problem is present from birth and may cause a child to make spelling and writing errors, and reduce their speed and accuracy when reading aloud. Although letter reversals (often seen in children with dyslexia) suggest a visual problem, in most cases the problem is related to how the brain perceives sounds, and therefore how the brain understands and interprets them. People with dyslexia do not have problems understanding spoken language.

Symptoms of dyslexia

Preschoolers with dyslexia may experience the following:
  • Speech delay
  • Difficulty pronouncing words (word association problems)
  • Defective pronouncing words (word ascetic problems)

Children with dyslexia often have difficulty blending sounds, repeating words, locating sounds in words, segmenting words into sounds, and determining the number of sounds in words. Delays or hesitation in choosing words, switching words, and naming letters and pictures are all early indicators of dyslexia. Problems with short-term memory for sounds and the inability to place sounds in the correct order are common problems in dyslexia.

Children with dyslexia often confuse letters and words with other similar letters. They reverse letters while writing—for example, drew for word, saw for was—and confuse letters, for example, b for t, w for m, n for h, and so on. However, many children without dyslexia reverse letters during the early elementary school years.

Dyslexia diagnosis

Preschoolers with dyslexia may experience the following:
  • Reading Assessment
  • Speech, Language, and Hearing Assessments
  • Psychological Assessment

Children who are not progressing in their vocabulary skills in the middle or end of first grade should be tested for dyslexia and other problems that may affect learning. Testing is usually conducted by school staff and includes speech, language, hearing, intelligence, and academic skills tests.

Dyslexia treatment

Educational methods

The best way to treat word recognition problems is through direct training that includes multi-sensory approaches. This type of treatment involves teaching phonics using a variety of cues, either separately or as part of a reading program (if possible).

It is also helpful to indirectly train children to recognize words. This includes training to improve word pronunciation or reading comprehension. Children are taught how to make and blend sounds to form words, by separating words into syllables and identifying the locations of sounds within words.

As children with dyslexia grow older, compensatory strategies may be helpful. These strategies may include the use of audiobooks, computer screen readers (available on most computers), digital recorders, and other adaptive technology devices. Other treatments (such as visual training, perceptual training, auditory integration training) and pharmacological treatments are unproven and not recommended.

Dysgraphia :When Writing Feels Like a Puzzle

What is Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to write coherently and legibly. It is not just about messy handwriting it involves difficulty in organizing letters, words, and sentences on paper due to impaired motor skills and cognitive processing challenges. The disorder can impact both children and adults, making writing a frustrating and exhausting task

Dysgraphia is a neurological condition in which someone has difficulty turning their thoughts into written language for their age and ability to think, despite exposure to adequate instruction and education. Dysgraphia can present with many different symptoms at different ages. It's considered a learning difference.

Symptoms / Diagnosis / Treatment /

Symptoms of Dysgraphia

Preschoolers with Dysgraphia may experience the following:
  • Handwriting Difficulties: Struggles with letter spacing
  • Cognitive and Motor Challenges
  • Spelling & Grammar Issues

Dysgraphia Diagnosis

Common evaluation methods:
  • Handwriting and motor coordination assessments.
  • Speech, language, and cognitive testing.
  • Educational evaluations to identify learning difficulties.

Dysgraphia Treatment

Effective strategies

Occupational therapy and specialized writing exercises can help improve motor skills.

Assistive technology, such as typing software and voice-to-text tools, can ease writing difficulties.

Multisensory learning techniques, like writing in sand or using textured paper, can enhance letter formation skills.