Dyslexia, or developmental reading disorder, can be a frustrating barrier to reading and writing. Far from having low intelligence, however, many dyslexic individuals have exceptional musical, mathematical or artistic abilities. You may need an intense, multi-faceted program to help dyslexic children keep up in school. Proper nutrition, including amino acid intake, is also necessary for dyslexic children to stay healthy and alert.
Dyslexia Background
You are at higher risk for dyslexia if you have a family history of dyslexia, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms, which usually become apparent in early childhood, may include delayed speech, trouble reading, and difficulty following instructions. Teenagers and adults may have trouble memorizing and learning new languages. According to Davidson.edu, individuals with dyslexia may have an altered gene, leading to a change from the normal amino acid sequence coded by that gene.
Dyslexia Treatment and Nutrition
The most successful treatment for children with dyslexia is education to help them process information, according to MayoClinic.com. Learning therapists may help your child integrate more information by using simultaneously multiple senses, such as listening to a recording while reading the identical words on a transcript. Intensive therapy works best and good nutrition can boost your child’s immune system to fight infections and improve attendance at school and at tutoring sessions.
Protein and Amino Acid Requirements
Dyslexia is not a nutritional disorder, and nutritional needs are not different from needs of the average child. The average child between four and eight years of age needs about 19 grams of protein per day, according to the Institute of Medicine. This recommendation includes specified amounts of the nine essential amino acids, which are nutrients your body cannot synthesize them, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Inadequate protein and amino acid intake is rare in the United States.
Meeting Amino Acid Needs
The protein from all animal-derived products, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy, is complete, or high-quality, which means that it provides each of the essential amino acids, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Soy protein, which is found in soybeans, tofu and soy milk, is a plant-based source of complete protein. Nuts, grains and vegetables provide incomplete proteins, but you can meet requirements by eating a variety of plant-based proteins. Most people with dyslexia could prevent nutritional deficiencies by eating a regular, balanced diet.
References
- MTSU.edu: What is Dyslexia?
- MayoClinic.com: Dyslexia
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Developmental Reading Disorder - All Information
- Harvard School of Public Health: Protein: Moving Closer to Center Stage
- Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes: Macronutrients
- Davidson.edu: The Gene for Dyslexia is Revealed
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