Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia)

Thesis Statement

Dyslexia is a learning disability that directly affects one's ability to read but flipping words or letters around often making it difficult to read and/or comprehend a simple sentence(Hynd 10).

Introduction

Dyslexia comes from the Latin root -dys meaning difficulty and the Greek root -lexia meaning reading hence the definition difficulty reading. It is known that people know little or nothing about dyslexia however this research will educate people on what dyslexia is and factors that impact a person with this disability. This paper will aim to educate people that dyslexia does not discriminate, dyslexic children often experience frustration in performing everyday tasks and that there are ways to overcome or control dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a learning disability characterized by problems in expressive or receptive, oral or written language. It is characterized by extreme difficulty learning and remembering letters, written or spoken words, and individual letter sounds. Extremely poor spelling and illegible handwriting are common symptoms. Problems may emerge in reading, spelling, writing, speaking, or listening(Horowitz, Rumsey, Donohue 40). Dyslexia is not a disease, therefore it doesn't have a cure. Dyslexia describes a different kind of mind, often gifted and productive, that learns differently.

Discussion

Dyslexia is not the result of low intelligence. The problem is not behavioral, psychological, motivational, or social. It is not a problem of vision; people with dyslexia do not "see backward." Dyslexia results from the differences in the structure and function of the brain. People with dyslexia are unique; each having individual strengths and weaknesses. Many dyslexics are creative and have unusual talent in areas such as art, athletics, architecture, graphics, electronics, mechanics, drama, music, or engineering. Dyslexics often show special talent in areas that require visual, spatial, and motor skills(Gladstone, Best 10).

 Their problems in language processing distinguish them as a group. This means that the dyslexic has problems translating language to thought (as listening or reading) or thought to language (as in writing or speaking). Dyslexics sometimes reverse letters and words (b for d, saw for was). In speech, some dyslexics reverse meanings (hot for cold, front seat for back seat) or word sounds (merove for remove).

Here is a test to see if you have any signs of dyslexia. Few dyslexics show all the signs of the disorder. Here are some of the most common signs:

Lack of awareness of sounds in words, sound order, rhymes, orsequence syllables

Difficulty decoding words - single word identification

Difficulty encoding words - spelling

Poor sequencing of numbers, of letters in words, when read or written, e.g.; b-d; sing - sign; left - felt; soiled - solid; 12-21

Problems with reading comprehension

Difficulty expressing thought in written form

Delayed spoken language

Imprecise or incomplete interpretation of language that is heard

Difficulty in expressing thoughts orally

Confusion about directions in space or time (right and left, up and down early and late, yesterday and tomorrow, months and days)

Confusion about right or left handedness

Similar problems among relatives

Difficulty in mathematics often related to sequencing of steps or directionality or the language of mathematics

The National Institute of Health estimates that approximately 15% of the ...