Adult dyslexia
The word dyslexia is derived from the Greek “dys” (meaning poor or inadequate) and “lexis” (words or language). Dyslexia results from differences in the structure and function of the brain. The current evidence suggests that these difficulties arise from inefficiencies in language-processing areas in the left hemisphere of the brain which, in turn, appear to be linked to genetic differences. People with dyslexia are unique, each having individual strengths and weaknesses. Many dyslexics are creative and have unusual talent in areas such as art, athletics, architecture, graphics, electronics, mechanics, drama, music, or engineering. Dyslexics often show special talent in areas that require visual, spatial, and motor integration. Their problems in language processing distinguish them as a group. This means that the dyslexic has problems translating language to thought (as in listening or reading) or thought to language (as in writing or speaking).
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that mainly affects reading and spelling. Dyslexia is characterized by difficulties in processing word-sounds and by weaknesses in short-term verbal memory; its effects may be seen in spoken language as well as written language. Though dyslexia is life-long, its effects can be minimised by targeted literacy intervention, technological support and adaptations to ways of working and learning. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence, race or social background. Dyslexia varies in severity and often occurs alongside other specific learning difficulties, such as Dyspraxia or Attention Deficit Disorder, resulting in variation in the degree and nature of individuals’ strengths and weaknesses.
The National Institutes of Health estimate that approximately 15% of the U.S. population is affected by learning disabilities. Of students with learning disabilities who receive special education services, 80-85% have their basic deficits in language and reading. Every year, 120,000 additional students are found to have learning disabilities, a diagnosis now shared by 2.4 million U.S. school children. Many children are never properly diagnosed or treated, or “fall through the cracks” because they are not deemed eligible for services. Dyslexia occurs among all groups, regardless of age, race, or income. Many successful people are dyslexic and many dyslexic people are successful. Recent research has established that dyslexia can run in families. A parent, brother, sister, aunt, or grandparent may have had similar learning difficulties.
Who Can Diagnose Dyslexia?
You may have to do some research to find someone who is trained in diagnosing and treating dyslexia. The certification is expensive, time-consuming and takes both course work and having experience with lots of kids.
Once your child is diagnosed, it’s important to help him understand that he can start getting help now that the problem has been identified. Let him know that 20 million school-age children suffer from reading problems as he does, but that only a small fraction can get help like he will receive. Dyslexia often runs in families, and by explaining that other family members have this reading problem, too, your child may realize that the situation isn’t hopeless. Keeping self-esteem high is important to a child with dyslexia.
What Causes Adult Dyslexia?
Apart from trauma, dyslexia which might occur following some type of trauma or injury to the brain in adulthood that affects your ability to read and write, dyslexia isn’t a condition that can manifest itself in adulthood but something you have had from birth or from a very young age which has simply gone unrecognised. In fact, many people do not know they are dyslexia sufferers until they reach adulthood and happen to have a dyslexia assessment.
A common theory is that dyslexia and the learning difficulties related to it tend to be inherited through genetics. Therefore, sufferers from dyslexia will often have parents or grandparents who are dyslexia sufferers too. Some theorists also point to a link between left handedness and dyslexia. And, although this doesn’t mean that a left handed person will be dyslexic nor that a child will inherit dyslexia if one of their parents or grandparents were dyslexic, where it has been identified, between a third and a half of all children who are diagnosed as being dyslexic have a history of dyslexia in their family and more than half will have an immediate family member who is left handed.