Dyslexia: Read this article about dyslexia. Be sure to visit and read several of the links within the article. What is dyslexia? How are experts trying to help dyslexics learn to read?

Dyslexia is one type of specific learning disability (SLD) that affects reading. It is a disorder that affects the way a person understands, processes, retains, recalls, or expresses information. Dyslexia is a general term for a reading disorder with many subgroups. The subgroups are categorized as the surface, the phonological, the spelling, and the direct group. The surface is the person who can read words phonetically but has problems with the whole word. The phonological person can read familiar words using whole words but has difficulty sounding out words that are new. The spelling subgroup are people who can read individual letters. If given enough time that person can read words but has problems recognizing words as whole parts. Finally the direct group are people who can read aloud but without comprehension of what they have read.

There are two types of dyslexia. Visual Dyslexic people cannot learn words as a whole. These people have problems with visual discrimination, memory synthesis, an sequencing words. They tend to see words in the reverse when spelling and writing. Auditory Dyslexia is another form of Dyslexia where there is difficulty linking the sound of a word to what it actually looks like.

The root of it all is the inner ear. It  controls all motor signal of balance, coordination, and  rhythm leaving the brain. Dyslexics' processing cells are believed to be impaired to the point that normally received signals can't be interpreted.

Many dyslexics today are receiving a variety of anitmotionsickness antihistamines and related medications. Some patients are receiving nutritional treatment in the form of vitamin B, minerals, and niacin. All these things were found to help improve inner ear related dizziness and balance problems. Occupational treatment is now available for many dyslexics. It involves repetitive eye training and coordination exercises.

An interesting treatment developed is the chiropractic and dental manipulation of patients temporomandibular joint. It is known that dyslexics will tilt their head, neck, and body in order to read, write and concentrate. Tinted lenses have also been used by dyslexics as light filters for reading. Since inner ear dysfunction may be light sensitive due to impaired light wave filtering; tinted lenses increases the print size in reading material.

There are many other therapeutic methods and treatments in the works to help dyslexics in their quest to read efficiently.
 

Works Cited

http://www.dyslexiaonline.com

http://www.levinsonmedical.com