Dyslexia, also known as developmental reading disorder (DRD), is a reading disability characterized by the brain's inability to process graphic symbols, according to Medline Plus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. According to the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), dyslexia is the most common cause of difficulties associated with reading, writing and spelling affecting males and females equally. Although the exact cause of dyslexia is unknown, the brain anatomy and function seems to develop differently for a dyslexic person and, additionally, Medline Plus states that learning disorders tend to be genetically inherited.
General Signs
Individuals affected with dyslexia have normal or above-average intelligence, but the disability interferes with their learning, causing them to fall behind others. According to the IDA, reading and writing letters in the wrong order is one sign of dyslexia, but does not necessarily occur with everyone. Other manifestations of dyslexia include problems in organizing language (both written and spoken), memorizing, spelling, reading, writing, learning sounds and symbols, as well as difficulties in solving math problems.
Age-Specific Signs: Preschool
Disabilities with learning may first be noticed when children enter an educational environment beginning at preschool. According to the Reading Rockets, some warning signs include starting to talk later than the other children, problems with correct pronunciation and limited vocabulary. Preschoolers may seem to mentally search for words, being unable to pinpoint the right one. They may also display difficulty rhyming words and learning numbers, days of the week or the alphabet. Dyslexics have problems associating the sound of a letter to the letter symbol. Other warning signs may not seem language-based. These include poor peer interaction, or trouble following directions, as well as appearing restless or distracted. Additionally, the IDA lists other warning signs including confusion with small words such as "at" and "to," reversing letters such as "d" for "b," and reversing words such as "tip" for "pit."
Age-Specific Signs: K to Grade 4
Unrecognized learning difficulties may set a poor foundation from preschool that continue on to advancing grades. In addition to the aforementioned signs, the school-age child has trouble learning new skills, remembering sequential information, such as counting in order or reciting the alphabet, as well as remembering the names of places or people. Fine motor skills may display irregularity such as awkward gripping of writing objects and ineligible handwriting. The IDA mentions signs such as difficulty placing a name to an object, while relying on words like "stuff" to name multiple things, as well as inaccurately clapping to the rhythm of a song.
Age-Specific Signs: Grades 4 to 8
Older dyslexic children display a reading ability below their grade level, and still have word or letter reversal problems, just with bigger words. They may also internally realize their own problems and withdraw socially, avoiding writing in front of the class, reading aloud, or become unwilling to talk with peers as they have trouble understanding non-verbal communication in the form of jokes or slang. The National Center for Learning Disabilities also includes signs such as troubles solving math word problems, writing compositions, difficulty with general comprehension and multi-tasking.
Age-Specific Signs: Adults
Dyslexia in adults can be associated with a mismatch of the individual's cognitive ability to their educational level. While these dyslexics may be extremely intuitive, intelligent and successful working as entrepreneurs, engineers or surgeons, they hide reading and writing problems from others, states the IDA. Correct spelling and managing personal time, tasks and plans still present problems for these individuals.
References
- Medline Plus: Developmental Reading Disorder
- The International Dyslexia Association: Frequently Asked Questions About Dyslexia
- Reading Rockets: Early Warning Signs of Learning Disabilities
- The International Dyslexia Association: What are the Signs of Dyslexia?
- National Center for Learning Disabilities: Should I Be Concerned about Reading Difficulties?
