Understanding Dyslexia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
By: Hena Mehraj and Mehvish Shakeel
Dyslexia, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty in decoding and spelling, poses significant challenges for individuals in their academic and professional pursuits.
This reading disability, also known as a specific learning disability, affects the ability to relate speech sounds to letters and words. Despite its prevalence and impact on individuals, Dyslexia remains misunderstood and underdiagnosed in many cases.
The Indian movie “TaareZameen Par” is the best example of Dyslexia. It is about an 8-year-old boy named Ishaan (Darsheel Safari) who has dyslexia and is sent to a boarding school after being criticized by his parents for his poor academic performance. At the school, an art teacher, Nikumbh (Aamir Khan), helps Ishaan overcome his reading disorder and discovers his artistic talents. The movie highlights the importance of the teacher-student relationship and suggests that people with disabilities should be treated as normally as possible.
Symptoms of Dyslexia
Identifying dyslexia early is crucial for effective intervention. In young children, signs may include delayed speech, slow vocabulary acquisition, difficulty with word formation, and challenges in rhyming activities.
As children enter school, symptoms become more apparent, manifesting as reading below the expected level, problems with auditory processing and comprehension, difficulty in finding words, poor memory sequencing, and avoidance of reading-related tasks. In teens and adults, dyslexia may manifest as slow and labor-intensive reading and writing, spelling difficulties, avoidance of reading activities, and Challenges in summarizing information or learning foreign languages.
Causes of Dyslexia
The exact causes of dyslexia remain elusive, but several theories shed light on its origins.
Genetics play a significant role, with a high likelihood of inheriting dyslexia if one parent has it. Brain development differences, evidenced by imaging scans, suggest abnormalities in areas responsible for reading processes. Poor phonological awareness, the ability to distinguish speech sounds, contributes to difficulties in language processing. Additionally, environmental factors such as low birth weight, premature birth, and prenatal exposure to substances can increase the risk of dyslexia.
Treatment Approaches
While there is no cure for dyslexia, early detection and intervention significantly improve Outcomes. Treatment aims to enhance reading skills, vocabulary expansion, and overall academic performance. Reading aloud helps improve expression and accuracy, while vocabulary development aids in comprehension. Specialist assistance, including individualized education plans, one-on-one tutoring, phonics programs, and multisensory learning approaches, are instrumental in addressing dyslexia. Psychotherapeutic support may also be beneficial in managing associated psychological issues.
Conclusion
Dyslexia, a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, poses multifaceted challenges for Individuals across various age groups. Early recognition of symptoms, coupled with appropriate intervention strategies, is essential for mitigating its impact on academic andPersonal success. While dyslexia remains a lifelong condition, proactive support and tailored Interventions enable individuals to navigate their challenges and unlock their full potential. By Fostering understanding, implementing effective treatments, and advocating for inclusive Educational practices, society can empower individuals with dyslexia to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The writers are Clinical psychology students
Kashmir Images is an English language daily newspaper published from Srinagar (J&K), India. The newspaper is one of the largest circulated English dailies of Kashmir and its hard copies reach every nook and corner of Kashmir Valley besides Jammu and Ladakh region.
