Developmental Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty rooted in language processing and is considered a neurodevelopmental condition. It is a lifelong challenge, present from birth, though its impact may vary across different life stages. In conventional educational settings, individuals with Dyslexia often encounter hurdles related to word recognition, reading fluency, spelling, and writing.
Dyslexia is relatively common, with estimates suggesting that up to 15% of the global population could be affected by it. It tends to run in families and does not discriminate based on background or intellectual capabilities. Many young learners with Dyslexia struggle with phonological awareness, which involves recognising and manipulating individual speech sounds within words. They may also face challenges in connecting letters to these sounds and retrieving them from memory automatically. While some learners may excel at this foundational level, thanks to effective literacy instruction, they might face difficulties later in their academic journey, often becoming apparent around Grade 4. Learners with Dyslexia frequently exhibit stronger oral language skills than written language abilities, meaning they can express ideas verbally but may struggle when it comes to translating them into writing.
Contrary to a common misconception, Dyslexic individuals do not read or write backward. However, they may frequently jumble letters during reading and writing tasks due to memory and sequencing issues. Dyslexia often coexists with other challenges, including organisational difficulties, attention and concentration issues, and other neurodevelopmental disorders such as Dyspraxia. Recognisable symptoms encompass delayed speech and language development, difficulty learning letters and sounds, challenges in organising written and spoken language, slow and laborious reading for their age or grade level, struggles with acquiring a foreign language, memorisation of number facts, and difficulties with written tasks, including spelling and grammatical structures.
Research underscores the importance of early identification and intervention in helping Dyslexic learners succeed in both school and life. There is no instant remedy for Dyslexia; instead, evidence-based practices implemented over time can help learners master foundational literacy skills and later develop advanced literacy capabilities essential for studying and writing. Effective instruction should be systematic, cumulative, and multisensory, fostering overlearning. Some learners might benefit from assistive technology like typing or speech-to-text tools, while others may require accommodations during tests and exams to convey their knowledge. These accommodations could encompass note-taking assistance, extra time, or reading and scribing support.
At home, learners facing Dyslexia or literacy difficulties can benefit from listening to audiobooks, which can foster language development and a passion for reading. It is crucial to provide these learners with adequate breaks, as they often exert substantial mental effort throughout the day to keep pace with their peers.
For more information on Dyslexia and related educational resources, please visit www.bellavista.org.za
Article supplied by Annelize Clark, occupational therapist at Bellavista School and course leader at Bellavista S.H.A.R.E
