Dyslexia is the result of a neurological difference; however it is not an intellectual disability. Dyslexia occurs at all levels of intelligence, average, above average, and highly gifted.It is a language-based disability in which a person has trouble understanding written words. It may also be referred to as reading disability or reading disorder.The severity can differ in each individual but can affect reading fluency; decoding, reading comprehension, recall, writing, spelling, and sometimes speech and can exist along with other related disorders.
Signs and Symptoms
- Dislikes and avoids reading
- Reads slowly and painfully
- Poor reading skills
- Missing out the words in between reading
- Missing out lines while reading
- Repeating the same sentences
- Reads without pause in between
- Confusion with similar words by reading (bread and beard)
- Sequencing errors (was/saw; on/no)
- Confuses similar- looking letters (b, p, d and q)
Advantages that dyslexics have over non-dyslexics
- Great at visual thinking- thinking in pictures
- Fast problem solvers, able to think laterally
- Excellent trouble-shooters
- They are intuitive- good at reading people
- Verbally articulate- great communicators
- Creative- so many dyslexics are employed as designers, artists, actors, chefs
- Spatially talented many dyslexics are employed as engineers, architects, designers, artists, mathematicians, and dentists.
- Dyslexic people frequently enjoy above average physical co-ordination skills
Reference
Excerpted from the LDA of California and UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute “Q.U.I.L.T.S.” Calendar 2001-2002
Learning disability Association of America
