Other Side-Effects of Dyslexia
What is Dyslexia?
It seems like most people have heard of dyslexia and have some type of idea as to what it is. In the most basic form, dyslexia ‘means’ that an individual has ‘trouble with words.’ This can mean that there is difficulty with reading words, sequencing words, spelling words, recalling words, remembering words, or deciphering word meaning when read. Individuals who have dyslexia are of average or above average intelligence and have a disconnect in the brain that causes them to experience this difficulty.
Much research has been done to combat the struggles of a person with dyslexia. It has been found that if a child learns to read and spell with an intentional, explicit, systematic, sequential, and multisensory manner; they will be able to learn to read. This process does take time (between 2-4 years depending on how blocked the individual is). In the meantime, the child is experiencing daily defeat.
These struggles present themselves despite having an attentive family, good educational background, effected in every social economic level, and all ethnic groups. It is found to be a neurological biogenetic trait, thus, is transferred down generations.
Side-Effects for a Child
Dyslexia is the ‘hidden’ infliction that has a history of causing shame, confusion, anxiety, and low self-esteem to those who experience theses struggles. The victim internalizes the inability to understand how to read; yet watches their classmates progress in reading and writing. The inability to decode the words in the story book, heightens the fear of reading aloud when called on. Letter formations taunt this individual to the point of guessing the direction of a letter or just writing sticks on a page that may or may not connect to complete an assignment. The struggle with spelling and expressing ideas is much better done verbally; however, the sequence of ideas or the recall of a specific word may hinder that type of communication, too.
The most ‘crippling’ of all the struggles is the convincing of self of being incapable of achieving anything. The fight with the letters, words, spelling, reading, writing, ideas is so read and so profound that the individual succumbs to the idea that they are not worthy. The immense effort that is given to comprehend the language is proving fruitless no matter what, so why even try? This is a dangerous place for a mind to go. This defeated attitude happens to even the youngest of children.
How to Combat Defeat
Every child needs to find a victory. Every human being wants to feel like they have conquered something each day. Whether to learn how to skip, dribble a ball, or the ability to write their name, the gratification of accomplishing something is the fuel needed to fuel the desire to learn and achieve more. This is were the adults in the child’s life need to foster the strengths of the child. It might be that the child becomes an assistant for a day, is allowed to hand out papers, select and help prepare the meal, sings an original song for the family, or hones in on a physical activity that allows them to ‘shine’.
With proper reading instruction, every child can learn how to read, but for some the timeline is long. Every child has just as much invested in their self-worth through achievements that are not centered around literacy. Those adults who love them must recognize that and assist the child in finding something that they can feel a sense of pride.