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What is Developmental Reading Disorder (Dyslexia)? |
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Written by Glenn Rosenberg
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Tuesday, 13 October 2009 |
Dyslexia is an impairment of the ability to read caused by a difference in brain function.
What is going on in the body?
Dyslexia, also known as developmental reading disorder, is a learning disability. Its effects may not be obvious until a child is well into his or her school years. The impact of this learning disability, however, can grow as a child advances in school and can cause significant difficulty.
The ability to decode and understand a new word is dependent on the person's ability to break it down into phonemes, the basic units of sound. Dyslexia is the result of a deficiency in this phonemic processing. Approximately 20% of the population has some degree of dyslexia.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Although many instances of dyslexia are genetically determined, others may be related to damage to the brain in the fetus and young infant. Dyslexia can be caused by exposure to alcohol in the womb, or fetal alcohol syndrome.
Infants born prematurely, especially those who are quite premature or have significant complications, may be at increased risk for dyslexia.
What are the treatments for the condition?
Because dyslexia is caused by a difference in the structure and function of specific areas of the brain, there is no cure. Early identification is important for initiating treatment before the child with dyslexia becomes frustrated and loses motivation for learning in school.
The child with dyslexia should receive special education services directed at helping the child reach his or her highest reading potential. Parents play a vital role in the education of a child with dyslexia. They can be advocates to be sure that the child's disability is identified. Sometimes this may involve seeking a neuropsychological evaluation for the child outside the school setting.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
In the case of intense training and special educational programs, a child with dyslexia may be frustrated as he or she struggles to conquer each step of learning.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
Treatment for dyslexia may last for several years, and the child's needs may change during a lifetime. Carefully addressing and changing treatment as a person progresses through life will help tailor the treatment to fit the person's needs.
How is the condition monitored?
Children with dyslexia experience many difficulties as they progress through school. The most important function that parents can serve is to provide strong emotional support to help their child master these difficulties. This involves being attentive to the child's emotional well-being and watching for signs of frustration or depression. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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