Dyslexia is a condition which causes difficulty with reading and writing and in some instances with mathematical equations. The word “Dyslexia” comes from the Greek words dys- (“difficulty with”) and lexis (“words” or “lexicon”). People are identified as dyslexic when their reading problems cannot be explained by a lack of intellectual ability, inadequate instruction, or sensory problems such as poor eyesight.
Dyslexia is not limited to reversing the order of letters in reading or writing. Dyslexia occurs in all societies with writing systems. It is typically marked by difficulty in the speed and efficiency with which an individual reads and writes.
Dyslexia is not caused by any known eye defect. People with dyslexia have the same eye defects as the general population and in the same proportions.
These are common symptoms of dyslexia:
- Reversing letters and words
- Skipping over sight words (at, is, the, etc.)
- Running words together, no space between words
- Seeing words and letters “move” on the page
- Seeing parts of words and letters
- Exhibiting poor understanding of what is read.
- Experiencing anxiety and frustration when reading
- Seeing the page look different with each reading
These reading problems are not consistent. A problem may be there at one reading and gone the next. There is no way to compensate. The only solutions are to re-read a sentence over and over again until the reader understands it.
The slow, laborious, non-fluent reading pace causes the reader to have anxiety and frustration, a severe dislike for reading aloud and a poor understanding of what was read.
There are benefits of Dyslexia. Dyslexia is a gift as well as a burden. There are many very successful dyslexics.