A child can work through the dyslexia learning disability and succeed with the right strategies and encouragement.
Children are each unique individuals with complexities that go beyond a parent's understanding of how to deal with them, sometimes. This insight, describes those children who have dyslexia, especially.
What is Dyslexia?
It is a language processing disorder that lasts throughout a lifetime. It is a learning disability that does not measure aptitude, but affects how a person learns. Highly intelligent people have dyslexia and learn to deal with it. Dslexia is a neurological disorder that causes the brain to process and interpret information differently.
A person with dyslexia will have difficulties with writing, reading, spelling and possibly even speaking. They may even put a great deal of effort toward these tasks but it doesn't work for them. It isn't their fault. It is the dyslexia getting in the way and the earlier it is diagnosed, the better. Once it is certain the child has dyslexia, strategies can be devised to help him or her succeed academically.
How common is dyslexia?
*15% of the US population alone have trouble reading, according to the National Institute of Health.
*People are born with Dyslexia
*Dyslexia does not discriminate. It affects all races, ethnicities and economic
It may be hard for some people with dyslexia to use vocabulary and communicate their thoughts properly into sentences within their conversations. Others might have trouble understanding what people say to them because they have a diffulty processing verbal information. Metaphoric language and abstract thoughts are examples of dialogue that might be difficult for someone with this learning disability.
The hardest thing to deal with for a person with dyslexia is the inferiority they feel. Self image is a very delicate topic with children. It often is carried into adulthood if it is not addressed.
Helping A Child With Dyslexia
With treatment, nothing is impossible. Timing is key. Recognizing the dyslexia early in life will have a positive affect on the child's development.
With help from trained professionals (tutors and teachers)people with dyslexia can become good readers and writers. The following strategies can help overcome the difficulties of dyslexia:
Practice reading all kinds of literature (magazines, books, comics and etc.)
Early introduction to every kind of communcation such as, reading (out loud, if possible), writing, drawing, letter formation, recognition skills and linguistic awareness. The establishes the relationship between sounds and meaning.
Practice using sight, sound and touch when offering new ideas.
Multi-sensory and structured language instruction.
Alter classroom plans to make extra time to complete assignments, note taking, and tests.
Use audio tapes (books on tape) and other forms of technology (i.e voice recognition software.)
Work through the emotional scars that come from having dyslexia.
Reading and writing skills are necessities in daily living but more importantly are the skills of expression and learning. It makes life a lot easier when a child learns to communicate properly but life is the best for a child who has the support and confidence he or she needs to grow even further.
There are many ways to bring out the best in a dyslexic child. Focus on their strengths. Build on the things that they love to do. Their hobbies can go a long way in healing the emotional wounds they carry. More than anything, believe in them. It will make the biggest difference in their futures.
