The diagnosis is clinical.

The treatment is educational,

The understanding is scientific.”

– Margaret Byrd Rawson and Roger Saunders (1998)

The term “dyslexia” comes from the Greek words “dys,” meaning difficulty, and “lex,” meaning speak. In its simplest form, dyslexia can be defined as difficulty with words or languages. While this helps to describe what all dyslexic individuals have in common, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Dyslexia is a term that refers to a range of variable ability for language acquisition. It is not a disease, defect, or abnormality. Instead, it can be seen as a variation in the way that a person learns language skills. Dyslexia is a handicapping condition in our modern world, where mastery of written language is expected and necessary for success and advancement.

Although dyslexia is a neurological-based learning disorder, the treatment is educational. This means that no child or adult should fail because of dyslexia. Early intervention is important, as it can reduce the amount of catching up that may be necessary.

So, what is the nature of a dyslexic learner?

How do we recognize and identify dyslexic individuals?

Dyslexic learners tend to think and learn differently, have normal sensory acuity (both visual and auditory), and are typically average or above average in intelligence. They may struggle with acquiring reading and spelling skills through traditional school methods.

If you or someone you know exhibits these characteristics, it may be worth seeking out a formal evaluation from a qualified professional. With the right support and accommodations, dyslexia need not be a hindrance to success. People with dyslexia can overcome their challenges and lead successful lives.

The post What is Dyslexia? first appeared on MSL Centre.

When in kindergarten or primary school, a child with dyslexia may have difficulty with reading. They may read slowly and hesitantly, sometimes with little change in intonation, and have difficulty tracking the text, resulting in missed words or skipped lines. They may also read from the middle of words and make numerous errors while reading.

Some common reading errors that a child with dyslexia may exhibit include confusion of short vowel sounds, transposing letters, misreading words of similar visual appearance, omitting or adding in little words, reversing letters or whole words, and struggling to sound out or blend unfamiliar words. They may also substitute words of similar meaning and tend to mumble when reading multi-syllabic words. As a result, they may have slow, laborious reading with poor comprehension or difficulty following the sequence of the text.

Spelling can also be a challenge for children with dyslexia. They may have difficulty with spelling and writing, including bizarre spelling, phonetic but incorrect spelling, and poor auditory discrimination of vowels. They may omit letters, insert letters, transpose letters, reverse letters, or invert letters in their spelling. They may also have difficulty matching letters to their sounds, and their spelling may remain poor or unreliable often into adulthood.

Writing can also be a struggle for children with dyslexia. They may have difficulties with expressive writing, organizing thoughts and ideas into words, finding the right words, and with grammatical structure, punctuation, and handwriting. They may have illegible handwriting with various sized letters that float between lines, and have difficulty writing within margins. Copying from the board may also be a challenge. Children with dyslexia may be scolded for untidiness, carelessness, or inattentiveness as a result of these struggles.

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to seek help and support. Dyslexia is a chronic condition that can impact a person’s daily life and self-esteem, but with the right resources and support, it is possible to overcome the challenges associated with it. Don’t hesitate to reach out and access the support that is available. With the right resources and support, people with dyslexia can succeed in school and beyond.

The post Common Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia in Young Children first appeared on MSL Centre.

Reading can be a challenge. Some of the types of problems that Dyslexics may experience include hesitant and labored reading, especially when reading out loud, omitting or adding extra words, reading at a reasonable rate but with a low level of comprehension, failure to recognize familiar words, missing a line or reading the same line twice, and losing their place or using a finger or marker to keep track of their place.

Written work can also be a struggle. Dyslexics may have a poor standard of written work compared to their oral ability, poor handwriting with badly formed letters, or good handwriting but extremely slow production of work. Their written work may also be badly set out with spellings crossed out multiple times, and they may spell the same word differently within one piece of work. Difficulty with punctuation and grammar, confusion of upper and lower case letters, difficulty taking notes in lessons, and difficulty organizing work and maintaining a personal timetable are also common.

Math can present challenges as well. Dyslexics may have difficulty remembering tables and formulae, struggle with sequencing, confuse signs such as + and x, rely on a calculator to remember basic facts, misread questions that include words, confuse directions such as left and right, and find mental arithmetic at speed very difficult. With the right support and accommodations, however, these challenges can be overcome.

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to seek help and support. Dyslexia is a chronic condition that can impact a person’s daily life and self-esteem, but with the right resources and support, it is possible to overcome the challenges associated with it. Don’t hesitate to reach out and access the support that is available. With the right resources and support, people with dyslexia can succeed in school and beyond.

The post Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia in Teenagers first appeared on MSL Centre.

First, dyslexic learners may struggle to meet expectations, both from others (such as parents and teachers) and from themselves. This can be particularly true for those who develop perfectionistic expectations in an attempt to cope with their anxiety. As a result, dyslexic learners may feel chronically inadequate.

Inconsistency in performance can also be a source of frustration for dyslexic learners. Their performance may vary from day to day, which can be confusing for them and those in their environment.

Emotional issues can also play a role in the discouragement and frustration experienced by dyslexic learners. Anxiety is a common emotional symptom reported by dyslexic adults, as they may be fearful of failure and engage in avoidance behavior. Anger and frustration with school or social situations can also lead to feelings of anger.

Dyslexic learners may also have a poor self image, viewing themselves as unlucky when they succeed and stupid when they fail. Research has shown that feelings of inferiority can develop in dyslexic individuals by the age of ten. Depression is also more common among dyslexics, as they may have negative thoughts about themselves and view the world negatively.

In addition to these internal struggles, dyslexic learners may also have difficulty with social relationships. They may be physically and socially immature compared to their peers, which can lead to awkward social situations. They may also struggle with reading social cues, such as personal distance and body language, which can be a disadvantage as they enter adolescence. All of these factors can contribute to the discouragement and frustration experienced by dyslexic learners.

The post Why is Dyslexia discouraging to the Dyslexic Learner? first appeared on MSL Centre.

To be most effective, dyslexic learners should be taught using a highly structured and multisensory approach that engages all three senses – visual, auditory, and kinesthetic – and activates multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. This enhances the learning process and can be more effective for dyslexic individuals.

At the MSL Centre, we use the Orton-Gillingham Approach to treat dyslexia. This approach focuses on explicit teaching of sound-symbol correspondence, reading and spelling rules, syllabication patterns, reading comprehension, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills, including sentence structure and handwriting as needed. Our philosophy, in the words of Gillingham, is to “teach to the intellect” as quickly as possible, but as slowly as necessary for useful and stable learning.

It’s important to note that early intervention is highly desirable, but it is never too late to learn. Successful results have been achieved through intervention at any age, even in adults. With the right education and support, dyslexia need only be a temporary impediment.

The post Treatment for Dyslexia first appeared on MSL Centre.

Some key components of early intervention for young children with dyslexia may include:

• Early identification: Identifying dyslexia as early as possible is important, as it can help to address any potential challenges before they become more significant. This may involve using a variety of assessment tools and approaches to identify dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
• Structured literacy instruction: Structured literacy instruction is a systematic and explicit approach to teaching reading and writing skills that is based on the latest research on how the brain learns to read. It can be especially effective for children with dyslexia, as it helps to build the skills and foundations necessary for reading success.
• Multisensory approaches: Using multisensory approaches, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods, can be helpful for children with dyslexia, as it can engage different learning modalities and help to make learning more concrete and meaningful.
• Accommodations and modifications: Providing accommodations and modifications, such as extra time on tests, use of assistive technology, or access to alternative materials, can help to level the playing field for children with dyslexia and allow them to better access the curriculum.

Overall, early intervention for young children with dyslexia can be a valuable resource for helping children to succeed in school and reach their full potential. It is important to work with a team of professionals, including educational therapists, teachers, and other specialists, to develop a tailored and evidence-based plan that meets the unique needs of each child.

The post Early Intervention first appeared on MSL Centre.

If you suspect that your child may have dyslexia, it’s essential to get them assessed by a specialist. Early intervention can make a huge difference in their learning outcomes. In this post, we’ll be exploring what dyslexia is, how it affects children, and what parents can do to support their child.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a neurological condition that affects the way a person processes language. It makes it challenging for a child to read, write, and spell. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence, and it affects children regardless of their background or education.

Dyslexia can manifest in different ways. Some children may have difficulty reading individual words, while others may have difficulty with comprehension and spelling. Dyslexia is a lifelong condition, but with the right support, children can learn to manage their symptoms and achieve their full potential.

How Does Dyslexia Affect Children?

Dyslexia affects children in many ways, including:

• Difficulty reading fluently and accurately
• Struggling with phonemic awareness (the ability to hear, identify and manipulate sounds in words)
• Difficulty with spelling and writing
• Struggling with sequencing, organization, and time management
• Struggling with comprehension and understanding what they have read

These difficulties can make learning frustrating and challenging for children. They may feel like they’re not good enough or that they’re not as smart as their peers. It’s essential for parents to understand that dyslexia is a real condition and that their child is not lazy or unintelligent.

What Can Parents Do to Support Their Dyslexic Child?

If you suspect that your child may have dyslexia, it’s essential to get them assessed by a specialist. Early intervention is crucial to ensuring that your child gets the support they need. Here are some things parents can do to support their dyslexic child:

1. Be patient and supportive – Dyslexia can be frustrating for children. They may feel like they’re not good enough or that they’ll never be able to learn to read. It’s important for parents to be patient and supportive. Encourage your child to keep trying and celebrate their successes, no matter how small.
2. Work with their teachers – Dyslexia affects learning, but with the right support, children can thrive. Work with your child’s teachers to develop an individualized education plan (IEP) that addresses their unique learning needs.
3. Use multisensory teaching techniques – Dyslexic children often learn better through hands-on, interactive activities. Use multisensory teaching techniques, such as using the Orton-Gillingham approach  to help your child learn.
4. Read together – Reading is an essential skill, but it can be challenging for dyslexic children. Read with your child regularly and encourage them to read aloud together with you. This will help build their confidence and improve their reading skills.
5. Focus on their strengths – Dyslexia can make learning challenging, but it doesn’t mean that your child doesn’t have strengths. Focus on your child’s strengths and interests and help them build their confidence in those areas.

Early intervention and support can make a significant difference in their learning outcomes and help them achieve their full potential.

Remember, dyslexia is a real condition, but with the right support and understanding, dyslexic children can thrive and achieve their goals. As a parent, your love and support can make a significant difference in your child’s life. If you have any concerns about your child’s learning, don’t hesitate to seek help from a specialist. Together, you can help your child succeed.

The post What Parents Need To Know first appeared on MSL Centre.