Glossary / Lexicon

Dyslexia refers to specific reading difficulty in a person with adequate vision and at least average skills in other academic areas; difficulty/disorder in deciphering, reading, and comprehending text not due to low intelligence.

It is, likewise, a learning disorder in which the individual omits, distorts, or substitutes words when reading and reads in a slow, halting fashion. It is a specific reading difficulty in a person with adequate vision and at least average skills in other academic areas; a reading disorder characterized by problems such as letter reversals, mirror reading, slow reading, and reduced comprehension. Dyslexia is from the Greek words "dys", meaning "bad," and "lexikon" meaning "of words".

Description

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects an individual's ability to read, write, and spell. It is a neurological condition that is characterized by difficulties with phonological processing, which is the ability to match sounds to letters and blend them together to form words. Individuals with dyslexia may also struggle with reading comprehension, fluency, and writing skills. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence or vision problems, and it is a lifelong condition that can impact academic and social functioning. Early identification and intervention are essential in helping individuals with dyslexia to develop effective coping strategies and improve their literacy skills.

Application Areas

• Educational settings - diagnosing and providing support for students with dyslexia
• Clinical psychology - evaluating and treating individuals with dyslexia
• Neuropsychology - studying the brain mechanisms associated with dyslexia

Treatment and Risks

• Multisensory reading programs - such as Orton-Gillingham approach
• Phonics instruction and explicit teaching of decoding skills
• Risks include low self-esteem, academic underachievement, and emotional difficulties

Examples

• A child who struggles to sound out words and recognize sight words in reading
• An adult who has difficulty spelling words correctly and organizing written thoughts

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Reading disability
• Developmental reading disorder

Summary

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects reading, writing, and spelling abilities due to difficulties with phonological processing. It is a lifelong condition that requires early identification and intervention to help individuals develop effective coping strategies and improve literacy skills.

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