People with dyslexia can and do listen, but they may experience difficulties with auditory processing and verbal working memory, which can make active listening and following complex instructions challenging. This is a processing issue, not an intentional refusal to pay attention.
Because the auditory system integrates both sensory and cognitive facets of hearing, we suggest that through repeated, impaired interaction with sound, children with dyslexia can develop abnormal sensory representations of speech as well as abnormal cognitive skills for the interpretation of speech.
Dyslexic people have to work harder than others, and often work extra hours, to overcome daily challenges. When they are tired their dyslexic 'symptoms' can be more pronounced as they don't have the energy to employ their usual coping strategies.
Dyslexia has become an important issue affecting the cognitive, personality development and mental health development of school-age children. Children with dyslexia have low academic scores and unstable emotions, and often feel inferior due to the incomprehension of their parents, teachers, classmates, and peers.
The biggest lesson I've learned is that being dyslexic is so much more than struggling with reading and writing. Being dyslexic means that you think and process information on the right side of your brain, instead of the left side, where neurotypical people think.
Famous actors like Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly and Orlando Bloom all have dyslexia. Pablo Picasso's teachers described him as “having difficulty differentiating the orientation of letters”.
These creative processing skills allow dyslexics to see the bigger picture, and visualise new solutions. This skill is really valuable to employees, in fact, 50% of NASA employees are dyslexic. They are deliberately hired because of their excellent critical thinking skills and spatial awareness.
Difficulty with processing sounds and hence with comprehending lectures. Difficulties with concentration and information processing leading to a lack of understanding. Difficulty with simultaneously listening and writing/typing.
Dyslexics think in a different way. The majority of people think mainly with their brain's left hemisphere, whereas dyslexics think predominantly with their right hemisphere. This leads to a different kind of thinking and learning style that we call conceptual thinking.
Establish a routine
Dyslexic learners may find it difficult to maintain concentration for long periods of time and may get tired quickly, so it's a good idea to create a routine which emphasises 'a little and often' rather than trying to squeeze too much work into a longer session.
Three dimensional thinking and making connections
Many people with dyslexia demonstrate better skills at manipulating 3D objects in their mind. Many of the world's top architects and fashion designers have dyslexia.
Emotional difficulties may be seen in a number of ways, such as disruptive behaviour, inattention, throwing tantrums or in physical symptoms such as stomach aches or palpitations, and refusing to engage in school/college.
There are four types of dyslexia in common those are; Phonological dyslexia, surface dyslexia, rapid naming deficit, and double deficit dyslexia.
Confusion between left and right. Struggling with tasks like tying shoes. Mixing up sounds and syllables in long words. Trouble memorizing important things like their address or phone number.
Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can change at different stages in a person's life.
5 things not to say to your child about dyslexia
Many people believe that dyslexia runs in families. If a mother or a father has dyslexia, either of them can pass it on to their child. Children have a higher chance of developing dyslexia if at least one of their close relatives also has it.
Some researchers are starting to look into using a brain scan to identify people with dyslexia. But this is still just a concept. For this to become a reality, researchers need to develop techniques that allow them to pinpoint differences in an individual that can be identified reliably in most people with dyslexia.
Understanding written language occurs in the left hemisphere in many different areas; such as the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes. These areas of the brain are slightly different in individuals with dyslexia. Readers without dyslexia have more activity in the areas of the brain associated with reading.
According to UMHS, the following conditions can present similar symptoms and difficulties to dyslexia:
Research by the University of Strathclyde has found that people with dyslexia are much better at being curious and exploring new ideas and more likely to be found in careers where this is an advantage, such as art, media, architecture, creativity, engineering and inventing things!
Children at risk for dyslexia may:
Dyslexia is a common specific learning difference that mainly affects reading, writing, and spelling. It can also impact how someone remembers instructions or organises their work. It is not linked to intelligence, and many dyslexic people have strengths in creativity, problem-solving, and thinking in new ways.
Bill Gates, one of the richest people in the world didn't let his dyslexia hold him back.
Experts believe one reason may be that dyslexics, who tend not to be good at details, learn to excel by grasping the bigger picture and producing original ideas. They might also be more motivated because of the social exclusion many feel.