Movies like Taare Zameen Par shed light on the learning disorder that is dyslexia. However, not many people still understand it completely. This blog helps in understanding dyslexia in a deeper way, along with stating its types and treatments.
What is Dyslexia?
Reading, spelling, writing, and, in certain situations, speaking are the main skills impacted by dyslexia, a common neurodevelopmental disorder. Despite having normal intelligence and access to education, it is characterized by challenges with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and decoding, which results in poor spelling and reading comprehension. Dyslexia, which is frequently discovered in the early school years, is a chronic disorder that affects each person differently and to differing degrees.
Lack of educational opportunities or issues with vision or hearing, are not the cause of dyslexia. Rather, it stems from variations in the structure and function of the brain, especially in the regions related to language processing. People who have a family history of the disorder are more likely to be affected by genetic factors. Despite the difficulties, prompt and effective interventions help people with dyslexia thrive in school and the workplace.
How Common it is?
Dyslexia is rare, yet it is prevalent enough to be well-known. According to experts, it impacts roughly 7% of the global population. People of all races and sexes are equally impacted. Many people, nevertheless, have symptoms that are too mild to be diagnosed. It is currently acknowledged as the most common learning disability in the world, impacting up to 5-10% of people worldwide, including those who exhibit symptoms but have not been diagnosed.
Causes
Neuroanatomy
Both structural and functional variations in the brains of children who struggle with reading have been linked by neuroimaging methods including positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Certain dyslexics exhibit reduced activity in reading-related regions of the left hemisphere of the brain, including the middle and ventral temporal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, and inferior parietal lobule.
Genetics
It can also inherited. Scientists have been investigating the potential role of genes. Numerous genetic variations have been connected to issues with language processing and reading. It has also been documented that dyslexics exhibit abnormal cell formations in non-language cerebral and subcortical brain areas. A number of genes, such as DYX1C1 on chromosome 15 and DCDC2 and KIAA0319 on chromosome 6, have been linked to dyslexia.
Gene-Environment Interaction
The development of reading skills seems to be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Since learning and memory are greatly influenced by the environment, it is probable that epigenetic changes have a significant impact on reading proficiency. Epigenetic processes are studied using measures of gene expression, histone alterations, and methylation in the human periphery; however, the results of these studies cannot be extrapolated to the human brain due to certain constraints. Toxic exposures, infections, and other situations can interfere with fetal development and raise the risk of dyslexia later in life.
Symptoms
Learning and using written language are among the issues that people with dyslexia demonstrate. Spellings can occasionally appear jumbled because a dyslexic person struggles to associate letters with sounds and words.
Symptoms in Kids
The inability to mix sounds and sound out words is a major indicator of dyslexia in children. However, its symptoms can start to show up in preschool, before children are even learning to read. The following symptoms could indicate that your child has dyslexia:
- Mispronouncing words
- Having trouble learning nursery rhymes or rhyming song lyrics
- Mixing similar-looking letters
- Lack of enthusiasm for studying letters and sounds
Symptoms in Adults
Adults with dyslexia may exhibit some reading-related symptoms. Others stem from difficulties with reading. These indicators could be behavioural or emotional.
- You don’t comprehend what you’ve read
- Making numerous errors when reading
- Easily forgetting people’s and places’ names
- Spelling and writing challenges
Types
The way a child’s brain interprets language determines the type of dyslexia they have. Professionals can select the best support by having a thorough understanding of these sorts.
Phonological Dyslexia
The inability to perceive and manipulate word sounds is known as phonological dyslexia. A kid may not be able to separate or reassemble sounds in words like “cat.” Because they can’t hear all the sounds well, they could also omit letters when spelling.
Surface Dyslexia
Although they may be able to sound out words, children with surface dyslexia may find it difficult to recall the appearance of common words. They may read slowly and struggle to identify terms they have seen a lot.
Rapid Naming Dyslexia
People with this kind of dyslexia have trouble naming letters, numbers, or objects quickly. It influences a child’s reading fluency, or how rapidly and fluidly they can read. Even though these kids are familiar with the letters and sounds, it takes them longer to say them out.
Double Deficit Dyslexia
This occurs when a child struggles with rapid naming in addition to phonological issues. It can require more assistance and be more complicated.
Visual Dyslexia
This phrase is occasionally used to characterize problems with visual processing, which is the process by which the brain interprets visual data and applies it to tasks like word and letter recognition. As a distinct kind of dyslexia, it is not recognized by the government.
How Dyslexia Diagnosed?
Despite being caused by abnormalities in the brain, dyslexia cannot be identified by lab screenings or blood tests. Rather, someone with this reading issue is identified through a thorough assessment and testing of typical indicators.
When testing for it, one should consider:
- Decoding is the process of sounding out new words.
- Oral communication abilities
- Reading comprehension and fluency
- Spelling
- Vocabulary
- Word identification
Treatments
Asof July 2025, Medications for dyslexia do not exist. However, dyslexics might benefit from specialized tuition to enhance their writing, spelling, and reading abilities.
One popular method is known as Orton–Gillingham (OG). Because of its high level of organization, reading skills are taught in an orderly and straightforward manner. It is the foundation of many dyslexic reading programs. The Wilson Reading System and the Barton Reading System are two examples.
Multisensory instruction is another aspect of OG. It stimulates people’s senses and provides them with multiple ways to relate to the material they are learning.
Effective dyslexia education does more than merely enhance abilities. According to research, it can truly alter brain chemistry, forming the neural pathways required for reading.
People should receive specialized training as soon as possible. However, it’s never too late to obtain assistance in improving your reading fluency. Some private reading specialists use methods similar to those they employ with children when working with adults.
Preventions
Although dyslexia cannot be prevented, it can frequently be controlled with various reading and learning techniques. However, if you observe any early symptoms of it, consult a healthcare professional. Create an individualized education plan in collaboration with your child’s school and encourage your child’s mental health as well. And if your child suffers from anxiety or other related problems, think about getting mental health treatment.
Conditions Associated
It frequently coexists with other disorders. These consist of:
- ADHD
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Disorder of written expression
- Challenges with executive function
- Fear
- Depression
A comprehensive assessment considers more than just reading. Some of these conditions can also be identified with its help. You can handle each challenge if you have a thorough understanding of it.
When to See a Doctor?
If you observe ongoing symptoms of reading or writing difficulties, such as difficulty processing spoken language, difficulty spelling, difficulty learning new words, or difficulty reading at the expected level for your age, and they do not go away with help from family or teachers, you should consult a doctor.
If you regularly struggle with spelling, reading, or organization, and it affects your work, studies, or day-to-day life as an adult, it’s time to get help.
FAQs:
Ans. Dyslexia is a learning disorder that primarily affects reading, spelling, and writing. It is caused by differences in how the brain processes languages.
Ans. Symptoms include difficulty reading at the expected age, poor spelling, trouble recognizing familiar words, reversing letters, and slow reading or writing.
Ans. While there is no cure, early diagnosis and appropriate intervention can help individuals develop strategies to manage their challenges and succeed academically and professionally.
Ans. Dyslexia is believed to have genetic roots. It involves variations in brain structure and function, particularly in areas processing language.
Ans. Treatment centers on educational interventions, including structured literacy programs, multisensory teaching methods.
Disclaimer
Based on data from reputable sources, this article gives a general overview of dyslexia, including its types, symptoms, interventions, and associated conditions. However, research on the causes, diagnosis, and treatments of dyslexia is still ongoing because it is a complex and highly individualized condition. For individualized assessment and intervention, readers are strongly encouraged to speak with licensed specialists, educational psychologists, or qualified healthcare professionals. Methods that work for one individual might not work for another.
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