10 Common Questions About Dyslexia
There is constantly a stream of questions around dyslexia, as each person discovers the difficulties for their child or for themselves. This can open that minefield of questions that often have a multiple of answers, depending on who you ask.
I've answered 10 common questions, but before we do, let's keep in mind the literal meaning of the word:
DYS (difficulty) LEXIA (words). Dyslexia literally means a difficulty with words. Dyslexia has no reflection on intelligence or ability!
1. Can dyslexia be cured?
Dyslexia is not a disease and doesn't need to be cured! If you are asking can someone who is dyslexic learn to read, write and spell, then the answer is YES. Using an appropriate method of a structured, cumulative, explicit, systematic, phonic-based, multisensory program, dyslexic learners can overcome difficulties in learning to read.
2. Can dyslexia go away?
No, dyslexia doesn't go away, but with any neurodiverslty, we can evolve and learn over time. Given the correct intervention, dyslexic learners can be as successful as anyone else.
3. Can dyslexia affect maths?
Yes. Maths involves many of the same processes as literacy; sequencing, using working memory, reading, associating symbols with meaning. When maths becomes more about "reading" as in problem solving, the processes become more challenging for the dyslexic learner. Dyscalculia is the term for a specific difficulty in number and number manipulation. Our wooden numbers are a great tool for helping maths learning.
4. Can dyslexia be hereditary?
Yes, most definitely. There is a cluster of genes identified for the type of brain set that is identified as a dyslexic learner, that causes difficulties in phonological and sequential processing. Read more about the research here.
5. Can dyslexia be treated?
Yes! As mentioned above, using an appropriate method of a structured, cumulative, explicit, systematic, phonic-based, multisensory program, dyslexic learners can overcome difficulties in learning to read, write and spell. Learn more about appropriate instruction.
6. Can dyslexia affect spelling?
Yes, it can. Researchers agree that the key marker of dyslexia is the phonological deficit. Phonological processing involves many factors, but in order to spell, we must be able to have an instant response to the sound and the letter that represents it, then be able to sequence and blend the sounds. We also need to be able to identify syllables and individual sounds in words. For someone who has a "fuzzy" representation of both the sounds and symbols of language, spelling is very difficult.
7. Can dyslexia develop?
Yes, dyslexia can be acquired through a brain injury or stroke. The person will present with the same difficulties in learning to process language and literacy, as that of a dyslexic learner.
8. Can dyslexia affect behaviour?
I often use the analogy; ‘if I was asked to front up each day to a job that I found impossible to do, yet every other employee managed to do without much effort, I would be humiliated, angry, frustrated and disheartened’. I most certainly couldn't do it for weeks, months and years, as many of our dyslexic learners do. It is often the behaviours that are noticed before the dyslexia! Many dyslexic learners are resilient and many are shattered. Self esteem, anxiety and outward displays of anger are often seen before the dyslexia is identified. I wrote the book Lex and Me to highlight the behaviours that might be seen, especially in the classroom.
9. Can dyslexia cause memory loss?
The processes involved in reading, writing and spelling place a load on working memory. When a learner does not have an automatic response to some or all of the processes necessary, working memory is severely challenged, making the whole process very slow. Dyslexic learners often require memory hooks and support mechanisms to reduce the load on working memory. This wouldn't be considered memory los, but more that there are challenges in verbal, and auditory memory for the dyslexic learner. This article outlines memory very clearly.
10. Can dyslexia cause speech problems?
Many dyslexic learners also have difficulties with speech and are diagnosed with co existing conditions. Considering that dyslexic learners have difficulty in processing the sounds in language, often early speech development is the first red flag for some learners. Read more about this here.