2.4 Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a developmental learning disorder with impairment in reading. It is characterised by significant and persistent difficulties in learning academic skills related to reading, such as word-reading accuracy, reading fluency and reading comprehension. It affects language cognition in the brain, which manifests itself in difficulties in reading, writing and ordering speech.

Dyslexia is often identified in early childhood, though its effects can continue into adulthood if not properly addressed. The impact of dyslexia varies among individuals, with some experiencing mild difficulties and others facing more severe challenges. Common signs include trouble decoding words, frequent spelling errors, and slow reading speed. Despite these challenges, dyslexic individuals often have average or above-average intelligence and may excel in other areas, such as creative thinking and problem-solving.

People who are dyslexic might struggle with some of the following:

Reading fluently and accurately
Handwriting
Spelling
Getting ideas down on paper
Telling the time or interpreting timetables
Forgetting key information or misremembering dates, places or times
Trouble following instructions

Dyslexia primarily affects several areas of the brain involved in language processing and reading. The key regions impacted include:

Left Hemisphere: The left hemisphere of the brain is crucial for language processing, and several areas within this hemisphere are often implicated in dyslexia.
Broca’s Area: Located in the frontal lobe, this area is associated with speech production and articulation. Dyslexic individuals may have difficulties with phonological processing, which involves breaking down words into their constituent sounds.
Wernicke’s Area: Found in the temporal lobe, Wernicke’s area is involved in language comprehension. Dyslexia can impact the ability to understand and process written language.
Parietotemporal Region: This region is involved in the analysis of words. Dyslexic individuals may struggle with phonemic awareness and decoding words, which are essential skills for reading.

In addition to challenges with reading, a dyslexic person may also exhibit strengths in areas such as spatial awareness and pattern recognition.

These abilities can make them particularly adept in fields that require visual thinking and problem-solving skills, such as architecture, engineering, and the arts. In the UK, it is estimated that around 10% of the population is dyslexic, which equates to approximately 6.3 million people.

Of these, around 4%, or 2.5 million people have higher support needs in navigating being dyslexic. This includes having a scribe at university, relying on audiobooks etc.

Reflection:
Please watch the video below and write down a few key points to help your understanding of dyslexia.

Reference: Shaywitz, S. E. (2003). Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level. Knopf.