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Resources by Disability
Dyslexia
Definition: Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children.
Symptoms: People with dyslexia have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, and sometimes speaking. They often reverse the sequence of letters and numbers, or have difficulty sounding out words. These symptoms vary from mild to severe.
Cause: Dyslexia is caused by an abnormality on the left side of the brain. This malfunction can be inherited, developed during the early stages of fetal growth, or caused by a traumatic brain injury.
Diagnosis: To diagnose a child with dyslexia, mental health professionals administer standardized tests that evaluate their functional reading level, how well they process information, and how their sensory systems (auditory, visual, oral, and kinesthetic) interact with each other.
Dyslexia often goes undetected in school-aged children. If a child displays any signs, they should be tested immediately. Early detection and intervention can significantly reduce the impacts of dyslexia.
Treatment: Alternative learning methods such as multi-sensory reading techniques can help patients cope with the condition.
Myth: Dyslexia is often believed to be a form of mental retardation. In truth, dyslexic children have difficulty with written language, but have average IQs.
Notable People with Dyslexia:
- Albert Einstein, the principal founder of modern theoretical physics.
- Hans Christian Anderson, a 19th Century Danish author, best known for his fairy tales.
Support Groups:
Philadelphia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association
1062 Lancaster Avenue
Rosemont PA 19010
Tel: (610) 527-1548
Email: dyslexia@PBIDA.org
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