How does dyslexia affect daily life beyond reading and writing. What strategies can improve communication and organization in relationships with dyslexic individuals. How can partners support each other’s strengths and manage challenges together.

Understanding Dyslexia: More Than Just Reading and Writing

Dyslexia is often misunderstood as solely affecting reading and writing abilities. However, its impact extends far beyond these areas, influencing various aspects of daily life. Individuals with dyslexia may experience challenges with memory, organization, time management, concentration, multitasking, and communication. These difficulties can significantly affect personal relationships, especially when sharing household and family responsibilities.

Common Misconceptions About Dyslexia

Many people believe dyslexia only impacts literacy skills. In reality, it’s a complex neurological condition that affects information processing in multiple ways. This misunderstanding can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships, particularly when partners have different cognitive strengths and challenges.

Effective Strategies for Managing Daily Life with a Dyslexic Partner

Living with a partner who has dyslexia requires understanding, patience, and adaptability. Here are some practical strategies to help navigate everyday challenges:

• Use mobile phone reminders and prominently displayed calendars for important dates and appointments
• Request text reminders from healthcare providers for appointments
• Develop organization systems that work for both partners, such as designated storage spaces
• Be aware of increased dyslexic symptoms when your partner is tired
• Offer support with reading and writing tasks, but also encourage independence
• Adjust reading materials to reduce visual stress (e.g., changing background colors, using dyslexia-friendly fonts)
• Divide household responsibilities based on individual strengths

The Emotional Impact of Dyslexia on Relationships

Dyslexia can have a significant emotional impact on both the individual with dyslexia and their partner. Years of misunderstanding and struggles can lead to low self-esteem and anxiety about revealing their condition. How can partners support each other emotionally?

• Offer reassurance and focus on your partner’s strengths
• Make an effort to understand their perspective
• Celebrate successes and progress
• Encourage open communication about challenges and needs

Adapting Communication Styles for Better Understanding

Effective communication is crucial in any relationship, but it becomes even more important when one partner has dyslexia. How can couples adapt their communication styles to ensure better understanding and reduce frustration?

• Break information into smaller, manageable chunks
• Ask one question at a time to avoid overwhelming your partner
• Use visual aids like maps or numbered lists when giving instructions
• Be patient and allow extra time for processing information
• Avoid using directional terms like “left” or “right” if they’re confusing

Navigating Time Management and Organization Challenges

Time management and organization can be significant hurdles for individuals with dyslexia. How can couples work together to overcome these challenges and maintain a smooth-running household?

1. Establish consistent routines and stick to them as much as possible
2. Use technology like smartphone apps for reminders and organization
3. Create designated spaces for commonly misplaced items
4. Allow extra time for tasks and appointments to reduce stress
5. Work together to develop systems that complement both partners’ strengths

Leveraging Technology to Support Dyslexic Partners

Technology can be a game-changer for individuals with dyslexia. What are some innovative ways to use technology to support daily life and relationship dynamics?

• Use text-to-speech and speech-to-text applications for reading and writing tasks
• Implement digital calendars and task management apps for shared organization
• Utilize navigation apps and GPS for direction challenges
• Explore dyslexia-specific apps designed to support various aspects of daily life
• Use smart home devices for reminders and task management

Celebrating the Unique Strengths of Dyslexic Individuals

While dyslexia presents challenges, it’s also associated with many positive traits and abilities. How can partners recognize and celebrate these strengths?

• Acknowledge creative problem-solving skills
• Appreciate unique perspectives and out-of-the-box thinking
• Recognize strong visual-spatial abilities
• Value empathy and emotional intelligence often found in dyslexic individuals
• Embrace the resilience and determination developed through overcoming challenges

By focusing on these strengths, couples can build a more positive and balanced view of dyslexia within their relationship.

Navigating Social Situations as a Couple

Social interactions can sometimes be challenging for individuals with dyslexia. How can partners support each other in social settings?

• Discuss potential challenges before social events
• Develop subtle signals to indicate when support is needed
• Practice patience and understanding if your partner becomes overwhelmed
• Offer assistance with names or introductions if memory is a challenge
• Create a “safe word” or gesture to indicate when it’s time to leave

By working together, couples can navigate social situations more comfortably and confidently.

Educating Others About Dyslexia

Raising awareness about dyslexia among friends, family, and colleagues can help create a more supportive environment. How can couples approach this together?

• Share information about dyslexia with close friends and family
• Encourage your partner to be open about their dyslexia when comfortable
• Correct misconceptions when you encounter them
• Participate in dyslexia awareness events or support groups together

Adapting Home and Work Environments

Creating supportive environments can significantly impact the daily life of someone with dyslexia. What modifications can be made at home and work to accommodate dyslexic needs?

Home Adaptations

• Implement color-coding systems for organization
• Use label makers to clearly identify items and storage spaces
• Create quiet, distraction-free zones for concentration
• Install good lighting to reduce eye strain
• Use voice-activated smart home devices for reminders and tasks

Work Adaptations

• Request assistive software or technology from employers
• Arrange for a quiet workspace if possible
• Use noise-cancelling headphones to minimize distractions
• Implement time management techniques like the Pomodoro method
• Advocate for dyslexia-friendly policies and awareness in the workplace

Building a Support Network

A strong support network can be invaluable for couples navigating life with dyslexia. How can partners build and maintain this network?

• Join dyslexia support groups or online communities
• Attend workshops or seminars on dyslexia together
• Connect with other couples who have similar experiences
• Seek professional support when needed (e.g., couples counseling, dyslexia specialists)
• Engage family members and close friends in understanding and support

A robust support network can provide emotional support, practical advice, and a sense of community for both partners.

Maintaining a Healthy Relationship Balance

It’s crucial to maintain a healthy balance in any relationship, especially when facing the unique challenges of dyslexia. How can couples ensure their relationship remains strong and equitable?

• Regularly communicate about needs, challenges, and successes
• Avoid falling into caretaker-dependent roles
• Celebrate individual and shared accomplishments
• Make time for activities that don’t revolve around dyslexia-related challenges
• Seek professional help if relationship issues arise

By maintaining open communication and mutual support, couples can build a stronger, more resilient relationship.

The Importance of Self-Care

Self-care is vital for both partners in a relationship affected by dyslexia. How can individuals prioritize their well-being?

• Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
• Engage in regular physical exercise
• Pursue individual hobbies and interests
• Seek personal therapy or counseling if needed
• Set boundaries to avoid burnout

Planning for the Future Together

Looking ahead and planning for the future is an important aspect of any relationship. How can couples affected by dyslexia approach long-term planning?

• Discuss career goals and potential challenges
• Plan for financial management, considering dyslexia-related needs
• Consider the impact of dyslexia on family planning decisions
• Explore educational options and support for children if dyslexia is hereditary
• Develop long-term strategies for managing dyslexia as you age

By addressing these topics openly and proactively, couples can build a strong foundation for their future together.

Embracing Neurodiversity in Relationships

Dyslexia is just one aspect of neurodiversity, which recognizes and celebrates the natural variations in human cognition. How can couples embrace neurodiversity in their relationship?

• Recognize that different cognitive styles can complement each other
• Appreciate the unique perspectives that neurodiversity brings to problem-solving
• Advocate for greater understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity in society
• Celebrate the strengths that come with different neurological profiles
• Support each other in challenging societal norms and expectations

By embracing neurodiversity, couples can build stronger, more inclusive relationships and contribute to a more accepting society.

The Role of Empathy and Understanding

Empathy plays a crucial role in navigating the challenges of dyslexia within a relationship. How can partners cultivate deeper empathy and understanding?

• Engage in role-playing exercises to experience each other’s perspectives
• Read personal accounts or watch documentaries about living with dyslexia
• Practice active listening without judgment
• Acknowledge and validate each other’s feelings and experiences
• Continuously educate yourselves about dyslexia and its impacts

Leveraging Dyslexic Strengths in the Relationship

While dyslexia presents challenges, it also comes with unique strengths that can enhance a relationship. How can couples identify and leverage these strengths?

• Recognize and appreciate creative problem-solving abilities
• Utilize strong verbal communication skills in conflict resolution
• Harness visual-spatial strengths in home organization or decoration
• Appreciate the empathy and emotional intelligence often associated with dyslexia
• Collaborate on projects that benefit from out-of-the-box thinking

By focusing on these strengths, couples can create a more balanced and positive dynamic in their relationship.

Celebrating Neurodiversity in Family Life

For couples considering or already raising children, how can they create a family environment that celebrates neurodiversity?

• Educate children about different learning styles and cognitive profiles
• Create a home environment that supports various learning needs
• Model acceptance and celebration of differences
• Encourage children to explore and develop their unique strengths
• Advocate for inclusive education and support in schools

Continual Growth and Adaptation

Living with dyslexia is an ongoing journey of growth and adaptation. How can couples approach this journey together?

• Stay informed about new research and developments in dyslexia understanding
• Regularly reassess and adjust strategies as needs change
• Remain open to trying new approaches and technologies
• Celebrate progress and milestones, no matter how small
• Support each other’s personal growth and self-discovery

By approaching life with dyslexia as a shared journey of growth, couples can strengthen their bond and create a fulfilling life together.

The Power of Positive Reframing

Reframing challenges as opportunities can significantly impact how couples navigate life with dyslexia. How can partners practice positive reframing?

• Focus on the unique insights dyslexia brings to problem-solving
• View adaptations as innovations rather than accommodations
• Celebrate the resilience developed through overcoming challenges
• Recognize how dyslexia contributes to a diverse and rich relationship dynamic
• Appreciate the increased empathy and understanding gained through experiences with dyslexia

By adopting a positive perspective, couples can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

Living with a dyslexic partner

There is a common misconception that dyslexia only affects the ability to read and write. In reality, dyslexia can affect memory, organisation, time-keeping, concentration, multi-tasking and communication. All impact on everyday life.

If you’re in a relationship with someone whose brain works differently to yours it can be confusing and frustrating. Especially if you have the responsibility of running a household and family together.

There are some strategies that may help:

You partner may find it difficult to remember appointments or meetings, or to judge how long a particular task will take (some dyslexic individuals do use effective strategies and are highly organised).

• Set mobile phone reminders for important dates or appointments, or use a calendar in a prominent place
• Ask the doctor, dentist or hospital to send mobile phone text reminders for appointments
• If you find their untidiness overwhelming. They can help by agreeing to put their stuff behind closed doors (e.g. in cupboards/drawers) in such a way that they can still ‘lay hands’ on it, but you can’t see it

Tiredness

Dyslexic people have to work harder than others, and often work extra hours, to overcome daily challenges. When they are tired their dyslexic ‘symptoms’ can be more pronounced as they don’t have the energy to employ their usual coping strategies.

• Be aware that your partner’s dyslexic ‘symptoms’ may be more obvious when they are tired, and try to be patient

Reading and/or writing

Your partner may rely on you to proofread things they have written, or avoid writing as much as possible. Tasks that involve reading or writing can also be tricky such as: making a shopping list, taking a telephone message or buying all the items on a shopping list.

These difficulties often mean that the non-dyslexic partner takes on more of the household and school administrative duties.

Some dyslexic people experience a visual stress effect when reading, especially if there is glare from black print and a bright white background. This can make the words unclear, distorted or appear to move and can be very tiring.

• Change the background colour of the screen, use a dyslexia-friendly font, or a larger print
• Try printing the page rather than reading directly from a screen
• Work to your strengths, so if the non-dyslexic partner is taking on more of the ‘administrative duties’ make sure that other tasks are shared

Self-esteem

Many people with dyslexia have struggled with other people’s misconceptions at some point. They might be apprehensive about revealing that they are dyslexic and if they haven’t been well-supported during education or in the workplace, they may have been left feeling ‘stupid’ or embarrassed by their dyslexia.

• Reassure your partner and remind them of all their strengths. Make the effort to see things through your partner’s eyes rather than expecting them to conform to your way of thinking

Information

Too much information, such as a list of instructions or directions, will be hard for the dyslexic brain to process and remember.

• Ask one question at a time, or break information like directions down into smaller chunks (e.g. 1 or 2 at a time). You could also try drawing a map, or writing a numbered list to help your partner remember information

Time-keeping

Poor short-term memory and concentration can mean that your partner is easily distracted. They may spend time every morning looking for their misplaced keys or phone, which can make it difficult to leave the house on time. Dyslexic people who find reading text really difficult won’t be able to rely on prompts and reminders such as calendars and ‘to do’ lists, but for other dyslexic individuals these may be effective strategies.

• Some dyslexic people set their watches fast to give them a better chance of being on time, and put reminders on their phone or computer. If you have to be somewhere together at a certain time, then factor in this difficulty and allow extra time.

Sense of direction

Dyslexic people can struggle with direction: they may often get lost or feel nervous about going to unfamiliar places. They may also find ‘left’ or ‘right’ instructions difficult to follow, or give.

• Technology is a great support for a poor sense of direction. Many phones have a free map app, or try using a SatNav
• If giving verbal instructions don’t use ‘left’ or ‘right’ instructions, try verbal hints such as ‘follow the yellow car’, or indicate with your hand which way to turn

Daily routines

A set routine can be a good coping strategy. However, a reliance on routine can mean that it’s difficult to adapt when that routine is interrupted.

• Be aware that a change of routine may have a knock-on effect to the rest of the day, and plan ahead. For example, you can set reminders on your phone for times and places of appointments, and what you need to take with you

Social situations

Your partner may be reserved because they are worried about saying the wrong thing in a social situation, or be very extrovert and put their foot in it. If social situations require reading (like a menu) or writing, some dyslexic individuals may find this awkward and may not always want to say why.

• If possible, try to be open about being dyslexic. There is greater awareness these days and most people have an idea of what dyslexia is, even if only a narrow understanding. If not, then it may be a good topic of conversation

Concentration

Your partner may find it really hard to process different stimuli at the same time so, for example, having a conversation with the TV on may make it difficult for your partner to really focus on what is being said.

• If you want your partner to focus on something, try to remove any distractions such as a radio or television. Choose a time when your partner isn’t absorbed in another task, like cooking or working on the computer

Self expression

Some dyslexic people find that their mind races, and they struggle to find the right words to express themselves or to verbally keep up with the speed of their thoughts. Conversely, they often know the answer but need time to retrieve it from their memory.

• A pause during conversations doesn’t necessarily mean your partner isn’t listening (although they may not be!). They may just need more time to process what has been said and to think about what they want to say. Be prepared to give your partner ‘thinking time’

Memory

Dyslexia can affect short term memory, so your partner may forget a conversation, a task they have promised to do, or important dates. They may also struggle to remember the names of people they have met or how to get to places they have visited before.

• Try verbal reminders, calendars, a whiteboard that you can write a ‘to do’ list or ‘don’t forget’ list on each day. Encourage your partner to get into the habit of using the calendars and reminders on their phone or computer

Good days and bad days

You may find that some days your partner’s dyslexic difficulties will be more pronounced than others.

• If you are aware that this can happen, and it’s out of your partner’s control then this understanding can make it less frustrating. Encourage your partner to let you know if they are having a ‘bad’ day

Remember – one way of thinking isn’t better than another. A dyslexic mindset can bring a completely different understanding to a problem or situation, so it’s really important to respect each other’s views and ways of working.

Directional Confusion May Be a Sign of Dyslexia

Most children look forward to learning to read and do so quickly. For children with dyslexia, however, the experience is very different. For them, reading, which seems to come effortlessly for everyone else, appears to be beyond their grasp.

The process whereby they learn to transform what are essentially abstract squiggles on a page into meaningful letters, then sounds, then words, and then entire sentences and paragraphs, seems to be an impossible task.

They grow frustrated and disappointed. Teachers wonder what they or the child might be doing wrong, often misdiagnosing the problem or getting bad advice. Parents question themselves, feeling alternately guilty and angry.

According to author Sally Shaywitz, dyslexia affects one out of every five children ― ten million in America alone. In every neighborhood and every classroom worldwide, children are struggling to read. For many affected children, dyslexia has extinguished the joys of childhood.
.

Directional confusion – a common symptom

Directional confusion is a common symptom of dyslexia and may take several forms, from being uncertain of which is left and right to being unable to read a map accurately. Directional confusion affects other concepts such as up and down, top and bottom, compass directions, keeping one’s place when playing games, being able to copy the gym teacher’s movements when he is facing you, and so on.

As many as eight out of ten severely dyslexic children have directional confusion. The percentage is lower for those with a mild condition.

Directional confusion comes in the following forms:

• Left–right confusion:
o   A child should know their left and right by the age of five and be able to distinguish someone else’s by the age of seven.
o   Dyslexics often have to use whatever tricks their mother or teacher taught them to tell left from right, even into adulthood.
o   A common saying in households with dyslexic people is, “It’s on the left. The other left.”
o   That’s why they reverse b and d. One points to the left and the other to the right.
o   They may read or write words like no for on, rat for tar, won for now, saw for was.
o   They may mirror write letters and perhaps numbers, ‘’ for ‘y’, ‘ε’ for ‘3’.
o   They may mirror write words, like ‘’ for Susan.
o   They will often start math problems on the wrong side, want to carry a number the wrong way, or read or write 17 for 71.
.
• Up–down confusion:
o   Some children with dyslexia are also up-down confused. For example, they confuse b–p or d–q, n–u, m–w, t–f.
.
• Confusion about directionality words:
o   First–last, before–after, next–previous, over–under
o   Yesterday–tomorrow (directionality in time)
.
• North, south, east, and west confusion:
o   Adults with dyslexia get lost a lot when driving around, even in cities where they’ve lived for many years
o   Often have difficulty reading or understanding maps.
.

Directional confusion also explains many of the difficulties some children with dyslexia have in learning to tie their shoelaces. Most children can tie their shoelaces at the age of five. Over 90 percent of children with dyslexia are later than average in acquiring this skill, and without intervention, around half do not pick this up until the age of ten or later, and even then, they are not 100 percent successful.
.

Overcome the problem by addressing the cause

The inability to discriminate between a ‘b’ and a ‘d’ is usually caused by a visual perceptual problem, specifically a problem with processing position in space.

Before one can read or learn anything, one has to become aware of it through one of the senses. Usually, one has to hear or see it. In other words, perception must take place. Subsequently, one has to interpret whatever one has seen or heard. In essence, then, perception means interpretation.

Of course, a lack of experience may cause a person to misinterpret what he has seen or heard. In other words, perception represents our apprehension of a present situation in terms of our past experiences, or, as stated by the philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804): “We see things not as they are but as we are.”

The following situation will illustrate how perception correlates with previous experience:

Suppose a person parked his car and walked away from it while continuing to look back at it. As they went further away from their car, it would appear to them as if their car was gradually getting smaller and smaller. In such a situation, however, none of us would gasp in horror and cry, “My car is shrinking!”

Although the sensory perception is that the car is shrinking rapidly, we do not interpret that the car is changing size. Past experiences have taught us that objects do not grow or shrink as we walk toward or away from them. We have learned that their actual size remains constant, despite the illusion. Even when one is five blocks away from one’s car, and it seems no larger than one’s fingernail, one would interpret it as that it is still one’s car and hasn’t changed size. This learned perception is known as size constancy.

Pygmies, however, who used to live deep in the rain forests of tropical Africa, were not often exposed to wide vistas and distant horizons and therefore did not have sufficient opportunities to learn size constancy. Colin Macmillan Turnbull, an anthropologist and author of The Forest People, wrote about one pygmy who, when removed from his usual environment, was convinced he saw a swarm of insects when he was actually looking at a herd of buffalo at a great distance. When driven toward the animals, he was frightened to see the insects “grow” into buffalo and was sure witchcraft had been responsible.

To summarize, one must have had enough exposure to wide vistas and distant horizons to interpret size constancy. In the same way, to interpret position in space — the learned perception that makes it possible to distinguish a ‘b’ from a ‘d’ — one must have had enough exposure to relevant experiences. Relevant experiences include the ability to distinguish left and right and the ability to cross the midline..

How can Edublox help?

Edublox Online Tutor is an online platform that houses a range of products and services to improve various aspects of learning. Our programs include Development Tutor, Reading Tutor, and Live Tutor. Live Tutor combined with Development Tutor is recommended for students with mild to severe dyslexia and aims at

• strengthening cognitive skills, including position in space;
• teaching decoding, a key skill for learning to read that involves taking apart the sounds in words (segmenting) and blending sounds together; and
• developing orthographic mapping. .

Watch this playlist and experience how Edublox training and tutoring help turn dyslexia around.

.
Book a free consultation to discuss your child’s learning needs.
.

Dyslexia: symptoms, causes, treatment of the disease

Speech therapist

Bratanova

Olga Aleksandrovna

Experience 31 years

Speech therapist

Make an appointment

Dyslexia is a disorder related to reading skills. Due to problems with certain mental functions that should be involved in the formation of such skills, the child may experience a variety of difficulties when working with text. Most often, it is difficult to recognize individual characters, signs – as a result, the meaning of words, phrases or sentences is not captured or distorted.

The problem manifests itself from childhood and, with proper correction, can be leveled to a level that allows you to live comfortably and study effectively. But if you do not pay attention to it at an early age, it remains in adulthood, causing a lot of inconvenience. At the same time, it is important to understand that dyslexia does not determine the development of the child by itself – he can effectively perceive information through other channels, for example, to understand well by ear.

Why dyslexia occurs – the causes of the disease

The main causes of dyslexia are neurobiological in nature. This is important for understanding, because often, out of ignorance, parents and teachers attribute the difficulties with reading to the “laziness” or “inattention” of the child, only starting the situation. But with such a deviation, certain areas of the brain are less active, and also have a reduced density.

Additional causes of dyslexia (provoking factors) are:

• disorders that affect the balance between the two hemispheres of the brain;
• serious, severe infections affecting the brain – the most common example is meningitis;
• traumatic brain injury;
• complications during childbirth and pregnancy: from infections to fetal asphyxia. During pregnancy, the mother’s bad habits also worsen the situation: smoking, drinking alcohol, as well as drugs.

Social factors also have a serious influence on this deviation. Moreover, they can be absolutely opposite in their orientation. So, the symptoms of dyslexia can manifest themselves from too much study load, and from neglect – a complete disregard for the development of the child. With isolation, lack of communication, not a very good environment, the situation only worsens.

However, we recall that dyslexia is not necessarily a disease of children from dysfunctional families. Due to purely biological reasons, it can manifest itself in children who live in excellent conditions and receive enough attention from adults.

Types of dyslexia

Before describing the specific symptoms of the disease, let’s talk about the types of dyslexia. There are currently six of them.

• Phonemic (acoustic). According to the classification, dyslexia is the most common problem that often occurs in elementary school students. With such a problem, the guys rearrange the syllables, distort the structure of the word – for example, instead of “cat”, they read “current”.
• Agrammatical. Assumes errors in the compilation of constructions, for example, a person may incorrectly use endings, cases, tenses (“white table”, “I’m hungry”).
• Semantic. Every word that a person reads, he understands, but separately from the entire text. And he cannot assemble words into sentences or into other, even more complex constructions – therefore it is impossible to catch the meaning of what was read. For this reason, dyslexia in adults and children does not allow you to get enough information from books.
• Mnestic. This is a problem at the level of individual letters and sounds that do not allow you to learn or understand the whole word.
• Optical. Here deviations occur at the visual level. For example, a dyslexic sees a word backwards (mirror) or cannot keep his eyes on the line that he is reading – his eyes constantly slide over the page, not allowing him to adhere to the desired reading sequence.
• Tactile. Specific dyslexia is characteristic of people who cannot see and use Braille to read. With this deviation, the letters, determined by touch, are either perceived incorrectly (they are confused with similar ones), or “escape” – a person cannot stay on the desired line.

With these types of dyslexia, the symptoms of the disease will be extremely diverse and ambiguous.

Symptoms by age

To detect dyslexia, it is necessary to know the full range of signs characteristic of this disease. And here there are difficulties, because there are a lot of manifestations – moreover, many of them differ in age. Let’s start with the general points, and then talk about what to look for at different ages of the child.

Common symptoms of dyslexia:

• problems with concentration, attention and memory;
• difficulties with orientation in space – for example, when a child confuses right and left, up and down;
• difficulties with simple and more complex tasks: from fulfilling an elementary request to learning the alphabet, multiplication tables;
• changes in the sequence of letters, syllables, numbers when writing, reading information;
• inability to handle pens, pencils, etc. well. If a child needs to write something, he clumsily uses a writing tool;
• unwillingness to read aloud, write, etc. Actions that are very difficult or in which many mistakes are later found cause psychological discomfort in children.

Even some of these signs are a reason to go to the doctor and start dealing with the situation. At the same time, it is very important for parents not to scold the child, not to put pressure on him, forcing him to do what he cannot do. A softer and more balanced approach is needed here.

They take into account not only the forms of dyslexia, but also how the problem manifests itself in dynamics, at different times.

At preschool age, the disease manifests itself as problems in speech, difficulties in learning, pronunciation of different words. The child is often confused, does not remember even a short set of phrases. It is difficult for him to master the basic skills of reading, writing, he confuses words and letters. All this can easily affect the quality of communication with classmates and peers – it gets worse.

At primary school age, problems manifest themselves not only at the level of words and syllables. It is already difficult for a child to memorize facts, he gets confused in arithmetic signs. The state is reflected in the development of new information. Problems of a different nature also continue: behavior becomes awkward, impulsive, coordination of movements is disturbed.

In middle school age, the diagnosis of dyslexia shows poor reading quality, poor memory. The child also reads poorly, pronounces words. Difficulties cause rebellion, so the student refuses to read and write, he has difficulty with gestures, facial expressions, and problems in communicating with peers increase.

At senior school age, there are problems with writing, reading, memorizing, and reproducing information. A slow speed of work is formed, which makes it seem that the teenager is “lazy”. Moreover, the problem extends further – often dyslexics find it difficult to adapt to any changes in life.

Symptoms of dyslexia in adults suggest problems with writing and reading, while distraction and inattention are added. An adult with such a disease often does not know how to plan his time – the quality of life is reduced.

Diagnosis

To diagnose dyslexia, a child is tested with various exercises. The specialist checks the features of long-term and short-term memory, the ability to analyze, the level of concentration, attention, logic, intelligence, etc. An important part of the work is a psychological examination – the symptoms of dyslexia are very diverse and require a personal approach.

Treatment, correction of dyslexia in Moscow

Defectologists, psychoneurologists can make a diagnosis of “dyslexia”. A speech therapist can also refer for an additional examination, to whom parents often turn if they notice problems with speech or reading in a child.

Experts say that no two dyslexics are the same – therefore, the treatment of dyslexia is individual. Often, difficulties remain with a person for life – and then it is important to understand how to improve its quality, how to help a child cope with the main life tasks. In other situations, a fairly high-quality correction is possible. For these purposes, a special speech therapy program is selected. It is based on the type of dyslexia, the age of the person, as well as his personal characteristics.

Medical treatment of dyslexia remains at the moment in question.

Preventive measures

As soon as a child has problems with reading, writing, memorizing and other important functions, you should immediately contact a speech therapist, as well as provide him with a comfortable environment for learning, start using the exercises recommended by the speech therapist.

Educational games, emphasis on visual information in childhood, comprehensive (but not exhausting) attention from adults – all this will be a good prevention of the disease.

Common questions and answers

Is it possible to cure dyslexia completely?

It all depends on the specific situation. Sometimes it is possible to correct the problem to such an extent that it does not affect later life. But it is important to start work on time.

Who treats dyslexia?

We have already partially answered this question about dyslexia, what it is and how to treat it. After the diagnosis and exclusion of other pathologies, the main treatment is carried out by a speech therapist according to a special program.

Is dyslexia always an intellectual problem?

In no case. A child with dyslexia, with the right approach, can not only get a good profession, but also become very successful in it. Suffice it to say that famous people such as Steve Jobs, John Lennon or billionaire Richard Branson were dyslexic.

Dyslexia is by no means a sentence, but a problem that requires careful attention from adults. If they make an effort and devote time to her, the child will have a chance for a good education and a great future.

Didn’t find the answer to your question?

Our experts are ready to advise you by phone:

+7 (495) 775-73-60

Dyslexia in children

Dyslexia is a pathological condition characterized by impaired reading skills against the background of insufficient development of cognitive abilities. In this case, the areas of the brain responsible for the perception of what is read are often affected.

Dyslexia in children is manifested by difficulties in recognizing written speech, academic failure, letter-by-letter reading, problems with understanding the text. Most patients are simultaneously diagnosed with dysgraphia. To identify the disease and draw up an individual correction plan, you should consult a neurologist and a speech therapist. An integrated approach is required to improve both written and spoken language at the same time.

Causes of dyslexia in children

The parts of the cerebral hemispheres are responsible for the perception and reproduction of written speech. They actively develop in the prenatal period or after birth. By the time they start school, reading and writing centers are usually developed enough to acquire the appropriate skills. The delay in their formation may be due to damage to cerebral structures or social factors.

Possible causes of dyslexia:

• Damage to the brain tissue due to insufficient oxygen supply. Hypoxia quickly leads to the death of neurons and the formation of neurological disorders. Such a pathology occurs with a complication of labor, fetoplacental insufficiency and other disorders.
• Mechanical damage to the organs of the central nervous system. Risk factors include traumatic obstetric procedures during childbirth, a narrow pelvis in the mother, delayed labor and intracerebral hematoma.
• Intoxication. If a pregnant woman smokes, drinks alcohol, or takes medication without first consulting a doctor, brain damage to the fetus is possible.
• Neuroinfection. Damage to brain tissue in the prenatal period is mainly caused by viruses, such as chicken pox, measles, CMV, etc.

Dyslexia can also develop after the birth of a patient due to a traumatic brain injury, an infectious disease, or a malfunction of the internal organs. Doctors also take into account unfavorable heredity and improper upbringing of a child at an early age.

Symptoms of dyslexia

The manifestations of the disease depend on its form. The child has difficulty learning or reading words. Also, experts pay attention to a limited vocabulary, incorrect use of certain words or phrases, insufficient skills in expressing thoughts. Dyslexia leads to academic failure and a slowdown in the development of other cognitive abilities.

Types of dyslexia and its symptoms in children:

• Phonemic. Signs include spelling, replacing similar sounds, skipping or adding different parts of a sentence.
• Mnestic. The child hardly recognizes individual letters, mixes and replaces them when reading.
• Semantic. It is manifested by partial or complete misunderstanding of what is read.
• Agrammatical. There are problems with the recognition of declensions and endings, there is a general inconsistency of words in the sentence.
• Tactile. Children with visual impairments have problems using Braille because of the inability to correctly recognize words or letters.
• Optical. The child confuses signs similar to each other, jumps from line to line.

Only a speech therapist or a pediatric neurologist can determine the types of a patient’s disease. Many parents do not immediately take their child to a specialist, because they consider the violations described above to be signs of learning gaps.

Diagnosis of dyslexia

It is recommended to be examined by a speech therapist when the first signs of dyslexia are detected. The specialist will collect anamnestic information to detect risk factors, determine the degree of development of oral and written speech, and assess the state of other cognitive abilities. If neurological disorders are detected, the patient is sent to a pediatric neurologist for special studies.

Diagnostic methods:

• Assessment of oral speech. The speech therapist excludes defects in pronunciation, phonemic perception, vocabulary and grammar.
• Letter evaluation. The child needs to write a text from dictation or rewrite a previously prepared text. The results of such a test reveal violations of the perception of oral or written speech.
• Neuropsychological study. The specialist evaluates motor, memory, auditory, visual and analytical skills that affect the ability to read and understand what is read.

To detect various forms of brain damage, a neurologist prescribes electroencephalography, echoencephalography, computed or magnetic resonance imaging. If necessary, an appointment with an ophthalmologist or audiologist is scheduled.

Treatment of dyslexia

This disease requires a complex correction aimed at improving speech and non-speech skills. An individual therapy regimen is selected taking into account the age of the child, the type of dyslexia and other factors. Teachers, a speech therapist, a neurologist and a child psychologist can participate in the correction process.

Main areas of treatment:

• improving pronunciation skills;
• vocabulary expansion;
• teaching grammar and syntax;
• normalization of visual perception of the text;
• help in the correct recognition of individual words and letters.