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Dyslexia is not a disease and is a condition that cannot be ‘cured’ as such. However, strategies can be employed to overcome most of the difficulties. Many individuals have their dyslexic profiles 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 assessment to ascertain any problems before, during and after birth.
The incidence of written language difficulties within the family (evidence of 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 illness or accident. |
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Some authorities believe that a family history of left handedness is, in itself, an indicator. 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.
A diagnosis of specific developmental dyslexia is given when an individual is of average, or above, intelligence and where their test results show a particular pattern of strengths and weaknesses. |
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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. |
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The academic manifestations of 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 having an age appropriate reading level or above. |
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If your child can read, it by no means follows that they are free of dyslexia. They could still be dyslexic and underachieving.
Early diagnosis is beneficial, both educationally and psychologically. |
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