What Is Dyslexia and How Is It Diagnosed?

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia, which is a neurological disorder, negatively affects an individual's reading and writing skills. The answer to the question of what is dyslexia is that it is a common problem with the brain's perception of the symbols and sounds of letters. Since the brains of individuals with dyslexia, who are very hardworking and intelligent, work differently, especially primary school patients may be excluded by the society. The effects of learning disorders manifest themselves in the area of attention and memory. Dyslexia, which does not have a standard treatment, can be controlled with early diagnosis, correct and effective treatment. It is never too late to diagnose the disease. However, in some cases, the problem is not detected until adulthood.

When Does Dyslexia Occur?

The earliest symptoms of dyslexia develop and become visible in childhood. The age of 2, when children start to make sounds, is the most ideal period for the detection of the disease. There is no standard answer to the question of how to understand dyslexia , which occupies parents' minds . However;

• speech retardation
• reading difficulties and
• Spelling mistakes suggest the possibility of dyslexia.

If the children of families with a history of dyslexia are followed more closely, significant progress can be made in early diagnosis and treatment.

What are the Causes of Dyslexia?

Dyslexia, which is more common in members of the same family, develops due to various external factors, with genes in the part of the brain that controls reading and language. Among the factors that increase the risk of dyslexia;

• Presence of dyslexia and learning disability in the family,
• Early birth,
• low birth weight,
• Nicotine addiction, which will affect fetal brain development during pregnancy,
• some drugs,
• Various infections during pregnancy and
• Mismatches between various parts of the brain can be counted.

Individuals with dyslexia are at a disadvantage compared to their peers in terms of education and training. Untreated disease, as well as various self-confidence problems; It can cause different disorders from behavior problems to anxiety, from aggression to avoiding being visible in public.

Inadequacy in reading, writing and speaking prevents the individual from revealing his/her true potential at the age of development. The disease, which has visible social and economic dimensions due to lack of education in the long term, is a social health problem that should be taken seriously. Dyslexia, which also carries the risk of attention deficit and hyperactivity, may not be easily treated for the same reasons.

What Are the Types of Dyslexia?

Dyslexia types, which vary depending on age and individual, are divided into 6 different types. These;

• Phonology of dyslexia
• Dyslexia trauma
• superficial dyslexia
• visual dyslexia
• primary dyslexia
• It is developmental (secondary) dyslexia.

Phonological dyslexia: Difficulty in vocalizing words. In this type, visual rather than auditory problems are at the forefront.

Trauma dyslexia: It occurs with damage to the brain, regardless of age, due to a trauma or illness.

Superficial dyslexia: It manifests itself in different ways, from recognizing words to writing.

Visual dyslexia: It is of physical or neurological origin. I have difficulty reading.

Primary dyslexia: The most common type. It is a functional disorder and occurs in the cerebral cortex side of the brain. It does not develop depending on age.

Developmental (Secondary) dyslexia: It occurs due to damage to the brain during fetal development. It may regress as the child grows.

Dyslexia, which manifests itself as late speaking, difficulty in learning new words, and encountering various problems while playing games at an early age, is noticed in children with the start of school life.

What Are the Symptoms of Dyslexia?

Dyslexia symptoms become noticeable with the start of school life. Although the existence of the problem gives various clues, it is usually noticed by the teacher at school age. When the child starts to read, dyslexia becomes evident and its severity varies from person to person.

Symptoms of dyslexia in the preschool period

Talking late is the first clue in the preschool process. The child learns new words slowly, mixing up similar words and sounds. Cannot say rhymes, has difficulty remembering numbers, colors and letters.

Dyslexia symptoms at school age

The student reads slower than expected. He has difficulty understanding and comprehending what he hears. He is unsuccessful in choosing words while answering questions. Cannot sort objects. In case of hearing difficulties, he misses the similarities between words and letters. He has no aptitude for foreign languages. He is weak in following the rules of spelling and spelling. He avoids this area because he completes reading activities late.

Symptoms of dyslexia in teenagers and adults

Despite advancing age, the symptoms are similar to those of dyslexia in children ;

• slow reading,
• Avoiding reading activities
• Problems remembering and pronouncing names and words correctly
• Inability to learn a foreign language
• Inability to memorize
• Inability to solve mathematical problems and
• Needing more time to write are prominent symptoms of dyslexia in teens and adults.

If the reading process in children starting school progresses slowly compared to their peers, it is absolutely necessary to consult a doctor. If the diagnosis and treatment of the disease is delayed, the problems will continue to increase until adulthood.

How Is Dyslexia Diagnosed?

A standard dyslexia test is not used to make a diagnosis . The physician wants to learn every detail from the child's development to educational problems, from the medical history to the history of family members. At this stage, information about the stressful environment in the house must be shared. In addition to the test that measures the child's reading and language skills, questions about home life are also created for parents.

Vision and hearing tests accompanying neurological tests reveal whether the child has a medical disorder or insufficient reading ability. The limiting effect of the possibility of anxiety and depression on the available potential is evaluated. Success in reading and other academic skills is evaluated and the final decision is explained to family members.

Can Dyslexia Be Treated? What are the Treatment Methods?

Dyslexia is a lifelong health problem. Early diagnosis and appropriate dyslexia treatment contribute significantly to the individual's self-development. Different hearing, sight and touch techniques facilitate the processing of information into the brain. In the sample treatment plan;

• The sounds that make up the words are introduced.
• There are trainings on phonetics and vocalization.
• Working on reading comprehension.
• Reading aloud is done.
• A rich conversation pool is created with recognized words.

Reading sessions to be organized with expert trainers are very beneficial for individuals with dyslexia. The seriousness of the reading disability affects the education life negatively. A child with severe dyslexia may not be able to read for life. However, this does not prevent the development of strategies that will increase the comfort of daily life.

Diagnosis of dyslexia in infants can be made from the 6th month. Audio books, re-reading the stories told to the child and making reading fun are effective in treatment.

Adults should receive regular support in reading and writing. Private resources can be requested from the employer within the scope of individual rights. Many adults with dyslexia have excelled in science, the arts, and mathematics. The existence of dyslexic patients with a career as an author is promising.

Living with Dyslexia

Emotional support is the most important equality of opportunity to be given to individuals with dyslexia. While reading difficulties reduce self-confidence, equal conditions provide individuals a chance to feel important. It should be clearly explained to the individual that dyslexia does not mean a personal failure. A suitable environment should be prepared so that the child's education can continue at home. The daily training program should be continued without interruption in a clean, orderly and quiet work area. Adequate sleep, a regular life and a healthy diet should be given importance. Screen time should be limited and the child's teacher should be in constant communication. The progress in the school should be followed, and if necessary, permission should be obtained for the student to be given additional time in the exams.

In this article, we have included what is dyslexia, how old is dyslexia, what are its causes and types, diagnosis and treatment methods. If your baby or child has a learning disability that draws your attention, consult a physician immediately.