Dyslexia

Dyslexia
Other namesReading disorder, alexia
Difficulties in processing letters and words
SpecialtyNeurology, pediatrics
SymptomsTrouble reading[1]
Usual onsetSchool age[2]
TypesSurface dyslexia
CausesGenetic and environmental factors[2]
Risk factorsFamily history, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder[3]
Diagnostic methodSeries memory, spelling, vision, and reading test[4]
Differential diagnosisHearing or vision problems, insufficient teaching[2]
TreatmentAdjusting teaching methods[1]
Frequency3–7%[2][5]

Dyslexia, previously known as word blindness, is a learning disability that affects either reading or writing.[1][6] Different people are affected to different degrees.[3] Problems may include difficulties in spelling words, reading quickly, writing words, "sounding out" words in the head, pronouncing words when reading aloud and understanding what one reads.[3][7] Often these difficulties are first noticed at school.[2] The difficulties are involuntary, and people with this disorder have a normal desire to learn.[3] People with dyslexia have higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental language disorders, and difficulties with numbers.[2][8]

Dyslexia is believed to be caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors.[2] Some cases run in families.[3] Dyslexia that develops due to a traumatic brain injury, stroke, or dementia is sometimes called "acquired dyslexia"[1] or alexia.[3] The underlying mechanisms of dyslexia result from differences within the brain's language processing.[3] Dyslexia is diagnosed through a series of tests of memory, vision, spelling, and reading skills.[4] Dyslexia is separate from reading difficulties caused by hearing or vision problems or by insufficient teaching or opportunity to learn.[2]

Treatment involves adjusting teaching methods to meet the person's needs.[1] While not curing the underlying problem, it may decrease the degree or impact of symptoms.[9] Treatments targeting vision are not effective.[10] Dyslexia is the most common learning disability and occurs in all areas of the world.[11] It affects 3–7% of the population;[2][5] however, up to 20% of the general population may have some degree of symptoms.[12] While dyslexia is more often diagnosed in boys, this is partly explained by a self-fulfilling referral bias among teachers and professionals.[2][13] It has even been suggested that the condition affects men and women equally.[11] Some believe that dyslexia is best considered as a different way of learning, with both benefits and downsides.[14][15]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Dyslexia Information Page". National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Peterson RL, Pennington BF (May 2012). "Developmental dyslexia". Lancet. 379 (9830): 1997–2007. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60198-6. PMC 3465717. PMID 22513218.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "What are reading disorders?". National Institutes of Health. 1 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b "How are reading disorders diagnosed?". National Institutes of Health. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  5. ^ a b Kooij JJ (2013). Adult ADHD diagnostic assessment and treatment (3rd ed.). London: Springer. p. 83. ISBN 9781447141389. Archived from the original on 30 April 2016.
  6. ^ Siegel LS (November 2006). "Perspectives on dyslexia". Paediatrics & Child Health. 11 (9): 581–7. doi:10.1093/pch/11.9.581. ISSN 1205-7088. PMC 2528651. PMID 19030329.
  7. ^ "What are the symptoms of reading disorders?". National Institutes of Health. 1 December 2016.
  8. ^ Sexton CC, Gelhorn HL, Bell JA, Classi PM (November 2012). "The Co-occurrence of Reading Disorder and ADHD: Epidemiology, Treatment, Psychosocial Impact, and Economic Burden". Journal of Learning Disabilities. 45 (6): 538–564. doi:10.1177/0022219411407772. PMID 21757683. S2CID 385238.
  9. ^ "What are common treatments for reading disorders?". National Institutes of Health. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  10. ^ Handler SM, Fierson WM, Section on O, Council on Children with D, American Academy of O, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and S, American Association of Certified O (March 2011). "Learning disabilities, dyslexia, and vision". Pediatrics. 127 (3): e818–56. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-3670. PMID 21357342. S2CID 11454203.
  11. ^ a b Umphred, Darcy Ann, Lazaro, Rolando T., Roller, Margaret, Burton, Gordon (2013). Neurological Rehabilitation. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 383. ISBN 978-0-323-26649-9. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017.
  12. ^ "How many people are affected by/at risk for reading disorders?". National Institutes of Health. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  13. ^ Arnett AB, Pennington BF, Peterson RL, Willcutt EG, Defries JC, Olson RK (2017). "Explaining the sex difference in dyslexia". Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 58 (6): 719–727. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12691. PMC 5438271. PMID 28176347.
  14. ^ Venton D (September 2011). "The Unappreciated Benefits of Dyslexia". Wired. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  15. ^ Mathew S (August 2014). "The Advantages of Dyslexia". ScientificAmerican.com. Scientific American. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.