Learning disabilities, also known as learning disorders, is an umbrella term for a variety of learning problems such as Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.
Learning disorders can be caused by genetic and/or neurobiological factors that interfere with the functioning of the brain in a way that affects one or more cognitive processes related to learning.
However, a learning disability does not mean one is not intelligent. As such people with these disabilities are not lazy or dumb, their brains are just wired differently thus affecting how they receive and process information. Researchers say people with learning disabilities are of average or above average intelligence.
The problems in processing information may interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and even math. Likewise, other learning disabilities may also affect higher level skills including organization, time planning, abstract reasoning, long or short-term memory and attention.
Learning disabilities are sometimes referred to as “hidden disabilities” because the person looks “normal” until they are unable to show the skill level expected from someone of a similar age.
It is important to note that learning disabilities cannot be cured or fixed. However, with good support, understanding and intervention, people with learning disabilities can achieve success in school, at work, in relationships, and in the community.
Examples of some of these learning disabilities include dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, and Aphasia/Dysphasia.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning disorder involving difficulty in reading owing to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding).
Dyslexia, which is sometime called a reading disability, is caused by individual differences in areas of the brain that process language.
Moreover, signs of this hidden disability may be difficult to recognize, especially when a child is too young. Here are a few symptoms of dyslexia.
• Problems forming words correctly, such as reversing sounds in words or confusing words that sound alike
• Learning unfamiliar words slowly
• Problems remembering or naming letters, numbers, and colors
• Reversing the position of letters
• Struggling with reading comprehension load
• Delayed speech for children
• Difficulty learning rhymes auditory processing disorder or new vocabulary
• Having disorders visual processing may have trouble understanding directions
• Confusing letters for each other
• Reading below the expected level for age
• Grammar issues
• Problems spelling
• Poor sentence structure
• Lack of phonemic awareness
• Avoidance of reading aloud
• Difficulty copying words from a secondary source
Types of Dyslexia
There are several types of dyslexia. Experts have created categories to group several common types of dyslexia together to increase the effectiveness of treatment. Knowing the type of dyslexia, one has may help get required help specific to the needs of the PWD. Below are some types of this learning disability.
Phonological – Usually the most well-known type of dyslexia. It deals with difficulties in matching sounds to symbols and breaking down the sounds of language. Moreover, individuals with phonological dyslexia struggle to decode or sound out words.
Rapid Naming – It involves struggling to rapidly name colors, numbers, and letters. This type of dyslexia may be linked to both reading speed and the processing speed for reading.
Double Deficit – It involves struggling with aspects of reading such as naming speed and identifying the sounds in words. Double Deficit Dyslexia is a combination of rapid naming and phonological types of dyslexia. Moreover, it is considered the most severe type of dyslexia.
Surface – Involves a dyslexic person who can sound out unfamiliar words with ease but fails to recognize familiar words by sight. According to experts, the brain fails to recognize what a word looks like to process the word quickly. In addition, Surface Dyslexia affects words that need to be memorized because they do not sound how they are spelled, making it more difficult to sound them out.
Visual – This involves a dyslexic person having a tough time remembering what they saw. This type affects the visual processing, making it so that the brain does not get the complete picture of what the eyes see. Furthermore, visual dyslexia end up affecting the ability to learn how to spell or form letters because both require the brain to remember the correct letter sequence or shape, impacting the learning process.
Nonetheless, it is not right to assume that all dyslexic people are the same and have the same characteristics. What they see and how they perceive it is determined by the type of dyslexia they have and its severity.
For instance, one individual with dyslexia may see letters and numbers backwards or upside down, whereas another person might not be able to distinguish between similar looking letters such as e, c, and o. Moreover, in some cases, the letters may appear all bunched together, or jumbled and out of order.
Also Read: Embu University Holds Disability Awareness Sensitization
As such, the only way to know what type of dyslexia one has is to get a proper diagnosis, during which the doctor may perform several assessments such as decoding, word recognition, reading fluency and comprehension, oral language skills, among others.
Categories of Dyslexia
Primary Dyslexia – this is a genetically inherited condition. Parents with dyslexia are likely to sire a child with this learning disability.
Secondary Dyslexia – this is caused by problems with brain development. In this case the disability is present at birth.
Developmental Dyslexia – this refers to dyslexia that is genetic or present at birth. It is more common in boys and usually diminishes as the child matures. Moreover, developmental dyslexia includes both primary and secondary dyslexia.
Acquired Dyslexia – this is usually caused by a traumatic brain injury or disease affecting the brain’s centers responsible for language processing. Acquired dyslexia is sometimes referred to as trauma dyslexia because it is caused by trauma to the brain and is the only type of dyslexia with a known cause.
Dyslexia has no cure and cannot be outgrown. However, early intervention and appropriate instruction and support can help in mitigating the struggles that it comes with.
Likewise, it is very possible to develop this learning disability later in life. This late onset development may be caused by a traumatic brain injury (Acquired) such as a stroke or a concussion. However, if you are diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult but haven’t suffered from a traumatic brain injury, then it is more likely that you’ve had dyslexia all your life and it simply wasn’t diagnosed until late.
