Learning Disability .
A person with a learning disability has trouble processing words or numbers. There are several kinds of learning disabilities — dyslexia is the term used when people have trouble learning to read, even though they are smart and are motivated to learn.
The main problem in dyslexia is trouble recognizing phonemes (pronounced: FO-neems). These are the basic sounds of speech (the "b" sound in "bat" is a phoneme, for example). So it's a struggle to make the connection between the sound and the letter symbol for that sound, and to blend sounds into words.
This makes it hard to recognize short, familiar words or to sound out longer words. It takes a lot of time for a person with dyslexia to sound out a word. Because word reading takes more time and focus, the meaning of the word often is lost, and reading comprehension is poor.
dyslexia warning signs that arise before age 5 years include:
• having problems learning and remembering the names of letters in the alphabet
• having difficulty learning the words to common nursery rhymes
• being unable to recognize the letters of their own name
• mispronouncing familiar words or using baby talk
• being unable to recognize rhyming patterns
Causes of dyslexia
The exact causes of dyslexia remain unknown, but theories include:
• There may be problems with phonological awareness (distinguishing the meaning of contrasting speech sounds).
• A person with poor phonological awareness has trouble with their short-term memory for spoken words, which means they tend to forget instructions or word lists.
• There may be problems with the visual, auditory, linguistic or neurological processes that are involved with recognizing the written word.
• Reading difficulties tend to run in families, which suggests a genetic link.
Dealing with Dyslexia
Although dealing with dyslexia can be tough, help is available. Under federal law, someone diagnosed with a learning disability like dyslexia is entitled to extra help from the public school system. A child or teen with dyslexia usually needs to work with a specially trained teacher, tutor, or reading specialist to learn how to read and spell better.
The best type of help teaches awareness of speech sounds in words (called phonemic awareness) and letter-sound correspondences (called phonics). The teacher or tutor should use special learning and practice activities for dyslexia.
A student with dyslexia may get more time to complete assignments or tests, permission to record class lectures, or copies of lecture notes. Using a computer with spelling checkers can be helpful for written assignments. For older students in challenging classes, services are available that provide recorded versions of any book, even textbooks. Computer software is also available that "reads" printed material aloud. Ask your parent, teacher, or learning disability services coordinator how to get these services if you need them.
Emotional support is very important. People with dyslexia often get frustrated because no matter how hard they try; they can't seem to keep up with other students. They might feel that they're not as smart as their peers, and may cover up their problems by acting up in class or being the class clown. They may try to get other students to do their work for them. They may pretend that they don't care about their grades or that they think school is dumb.
Family and friends can help people with dyslexia by understanding that they aren't stupid or lazy, and that they are trying as hard as they can. It's important to recognize and appreciate each person's strengths, whether they're in sports, drama, art, creative problem solving, or something else.
People with dyslexia shouldn't feel limited in their academic or career choices. Most colleges make special accommodations for students with dyslexia, offering them trained tutors, learning aids, computer software, recorded reading assignments, and special arrangements for exams. People with dyslexia can become doctors, politicians, corporate executives, actors, musicians, artists, teachers, inventors, entrepreneurs, or whatever else they choose. Many famous people with dyslexia have very successful careers in these and other fields, despite having had reading struggles in school.
Dr Anshul Mahajan