Dyslexia

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Dyslexia
Synonyms	Reading disorder, reading disability
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Difficulty in reading, spelling, writing, and sometimes speaking
Complications	N/A
Onset	Early childhood
Duration	Long-term
Types	N/A
Causes	Genetic and environmental factors
Risks	Family history of dyslexia, premature birth, exposure to nicotine, alcohol, or infections during pregnancy
Diagnosis	Neuropsychological tests, educational assessment
Differential diagnosis	Hearing impairment, vision impairment, ADHD, intellectual disability
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Educational intervention, speech therapy, occupational therapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies; many improve with intervention
Frequency	5–10% of the population
Deaths	N/A

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.

Characteristics

Dyslexia is often associated with difficulties in phonological processing, orthographic coding, and rapid naming. Individuals with dyslexia may have trouble with reading comprehension and may also experience difficulties with writing, spelling, and sometimes speaking.

Causes

The exact cause of dyslexia is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. Studies have shown that dyslexia tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component.

Neurological Basis

Animation of the inferior parietal lobule, an area of the brain involved in language processing.

Research has identified differences in the way the brain of a person with dyslexia develops and functions. The inferior parietal lobule and other areas of the brain involved in language processing may show atypical activation patterns in individuals with dyslexia.

Diagnosis

Dyslexia is diagnosed through a series of tests that assess reading, language, and writing skills. These tests are often conducted by educational psychologists or specialists in learning disabilities.

Management

While there is no cure for dyslexia, early identification and intervention can significantly improve outcomes. Interventions often include specialized teaching techniques, the use of technology, and accommodations in the classroom.

Writing Systems and Dyslexia

Different writing systems can affect the manifestation of dyslexia.

The manifestation of dyslexia can vary depending on the writing system. For example, dyslexia in alphabetic languages like English may differ from dyslexia in logographic languages like Chinese.

Clinical Implications

Diagram of the brain showing areas involved in language processing.

Clinicians working with individuals with dyslexia must consider the specific needs of each person, including their language background and the demands of their educational environment.

Technological Aids

Assistive technology can help individuals with dyslexia.

Assistive technology, such as text-to-speech software and audiobooks, can be valuable tools for individuals with dyslexia, helping them to access written material more easily.

See also

• Learning disability
• Phonological awareness
• Reading comprehension
• Special education