Dyslexia means difficulty in reading or learning to read accompanied by difficulty in writing and spelling correctly.
‘Dys’ means difficulty
‘lexia’ means words
* Acquired brain damage (Birth trauma use of medication like phenobarbitone)
Signs and Symptoms
* Difficulties with – Concentration, Perception, Memory, Verbal skills, Abstract Reasoning, Hand eye co ordination.
* Low – self esteem
Dealing with dyslexia
* Professional testing is necessary for the accurate diagnosis of dyslexia
* A different examination criteria has to be checked out
* The uses of computers and calculators are very beneficial to these children
* There are children who need to be identified early and taught in way they can understand and learn which is not of the normal teaching style
* Since language is a problem, these children are to be extempted
* A dyslexia must have to one training to first develop basic skills. This allows the student to stay focused
Parent and teacher handling of dyslexia
* Manage his or her time
* To put things in its place
* Help him with his or her homework
* Help him with his or her reading
* To focus his or her attention
* To take right book to school
* By giving precise clear instruction
* By not punishing him or her for his or her childishness delay in completing his work
* By giving him or her constant positive inputs
* By instructing him or her with more do’s than don’ts
* By imparting social skills, like interaction communication giving respect to elders etc
* The teachers can try to meet the special needs of the children by identifying the areas of special interest and talents and help the child to build on strengths. They can be helped.
* Giving less written class work and home work
* Testing them orally
* Giving marks for content without reducing marks for grammatical and spelling errors
* Marking less red lines in the note book
* Introducing abstract ideas through pictures and objects
* Giving precise, clear and short instructions
* Giving extended time to finish tests
* Reading the question paper during the class
* Maintaining eye contact during the class
* Not punishing the child for messy work and poor handwriting
* Emphasising on quality work rather than quantity
* Avoiding punishments for minor misbehaviours in the class
* Remedial education
* Medical approach
* Psychological approach
Remedial education: Remedial education is the most effective therapy. Various types of cognitive perceptual skills training, For example, sensory integration training, perceptual motor training, occupational therapy, auditory memory training, vestibular stimulation, hemisptieric stimulation and optometric training.
Medical approach: Medical approaches to treating dyslexia include stimulant medication, anti – anxiety medication, motion sickness medication, vitamins and special diets.
Psychological approach: Psychological approaches to dyslexia include supportive psychotherapy, parent guidance and training, social skill training, relaxation training and behaviour modification approaches.