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The specific learning difficulty 'Dyslexia' is not a disease and is a condition that cannot, as such, be 'cured'. However, strategies can be employed to overcome most of the difficulties. Many individuals have their dyslexic brains to thank for their enhanced skills in certain areas.
Dyslexia is often called a specific learning difficulty because it can exist in individuals who are otherwise of average or above average ability. Case histories are useful before a dyslexia assessment to ascertain any problems before, during and after birth.
The incidence of written language difficulties within the family (evidence of a specific learning difficulty such as developmental dyslexia) is a positive indicator. In the case of an acquired dyslexia, it would not have been present unless the brain had been damaged by disease or accident. |
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Some authorities believe that a family history of left-handedness is, in itself, an indicator of learning difficulties. The pattern of crossed dominance (e.g. right handed/left eyed) is over-represented in the dyslexic population.
What developmental dyslexics tend to have in common is a poor short-term (working) memory. Due to the resulting difficulties, sequencing is often an area of weakness. Most dyslexics are, as a consequence, poorly organised.
After a dyslexia assessment, a diagnosis of a specific learning difficulty such as developmental dyslexia is given when an individual is of average, or above, intelligence and where their dyslexia assessment test results show a particular pattern of strengths and weaknesses. |
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The specific learning difficulty 'Dyslexia' is often referred to as a syndrome, because of the various signs and symptoms associated with it. There is not one single feature, but a 'cluster'. Dyslexia occurs in every ability range.
An individual who does not perform well on ability tests can display many dyslexic signs. But this 'cross-over' of symptoms can be related to more global difficulties (not a specific learning difficulty). |
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The academic manifestations of a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia are persistent problems with some, or all, of the following: reading, spelling, writing and/or maths. Dyslexics usually develop their own strategies for coping. It is not unusual for a bright dyslexic child to mask other symptoms by reading at a level appropriate for their age - or even above.
If your child can read, it by no means follows that they are free of a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia. They could still be dyslexic but failing to reach their potential. |
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Early diagnosis by means of a dyslexia assessment is beneficial, both educationally and psychologically.
Sometimes we see students who have a more general learning difficulty. Although the prognosis may not be as good, because the innate ability is not as high, benefits can be gained by adopting a structured multi-sensory approach. |
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