JAMB HEALTH ADVISORY: , Dyslexia A Learning Disability. All What You Should Know

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As we welcome the yuletide season with the children on holidays and at home with their parents, grandparents and guardians, more vigilance is needed to adequately monitor their activities especially in terms of who they associate with, academic progress and, of course, health, considering the fact that they would be spending more time at home with their family than their teachers.

Since the world has become a global village, there is now  increased awareness in all spheres of human endeavours and the health aspect of our lives are not left out as diseases, hitherto unknown or unnoticeable, are being brought to the limelight, courtesy of the internet and social media interface and interactions.

It is on this note that this article intends to take a cursory look at Dyslexia, a medical condition or disorder related to children or toddlers in connection with speech and sounds of words.

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Dyslexia, is a learning disorder characterised by challenges in reading, stemming from difficulties in recognising speech sounds and their connection to letters and words (decoding). According to Wikipedia, Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in executing accurate and fluent reading and spelling.

The characteristic features of Dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. The condition, often referred to as a reading disability, arises from distinct variations in the brain regions responsible for language processing. Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities

HOW DYSLEXIA AFFECTS LANGUAGE UNDERSTANDING

In early childhood, speaking starts with making simple sounds. As you learn more sounds, you also learn how to use sounds to form words, phrases and sentences. Learning to read involves connecting sounds to different written symbols (letters).

This is where Dyslexia enters the picture as it interferes with how the brain uses spoken language to “decode” writing. The brain has trouble processing what to read, especially breaking words into sounds or relating letters to sounds when reading. While Dyslexia is typically present from birth, it can also result from events like traumatic brain injuries, strokes, or dementia.

It is important to note that Dyslexia is not an ailment and does not have a cure. However, it can be effectively managed throughout one’s life through various strategies. If your child has Dyslexia, your active involvement can significantly contribute to managing their condition.

CAUSES OF DYSLEXIA

The exact cause of Dyslexia is not clear. However, several clues hint at how and why most cases happen. Among these are genetics. Dyslexia is highly genetic and can run in families.

A child with a parent with Dyslexia has a 30% to 50% chance of inheriting it. Genetic conditions like Down Syndrome can also make dyslexia more likely to happen. Another is disruptions in brain development and function.

Similarly, infections, toxic exposures and other events can disrupt fetal development and increase the odds of later development of Dyslexia. RISK FACTORSSeveral risk factors can contribute to someone developing Dyslexia. They include (but not limited to): Toxic exposures. Air and water pollution can increase your risk of developing dyslexia. This is especially true with heavy metals (like lead or manganese), nicotine and certain chemicals used as flame retardant could come in contact with an expectant mother leading to impaired brain development of the fetus.

Additionally, lack of access to reading material could also be a factor as the risk of developing Dyslexia is higher in children, who grow up in households where reading is not encouraged or where reading material is less available. Also, learning environment limitations could be a factor as children with less learning support in school or similar environments are more likely to develop Dyslexia.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DYSLEXIA

As a child gets older, Dyslexia can often present as difficulty in spelling simple words; trouble learning the names of letters; problems telling apart letters with similar shapes, such as “d” and “b” or “p” and “q”; trouble rhyming (pronouncing words that are identical); reluctance to read aloud in class; trouble sounding out new words; trouble associating sounds with letters or parts of words; trouble learning how sounds go together; and mixing up the position of sounds in a word, among others.However, having one of the above does not mean a person has Dyslexia, but if they are having trouble learning the basic skills for reading, then Dyslexia screening and testing is a good way to see if they need specialised help.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

Although Dyslexia results from disruptions in your brain, no blood tests or lab screenings can detect it. Instead, careful evaluation and testing of common signs is key in identifying someone with this reading problem. However, testing for Dyslexia should look at decoding (reading unfamiliar words by sounding them out), oral language skills, reading fluency and reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary and word recognition.Typically, early testing is best for correcting learning disabilities. Your child can begin learning new reading strategies sooner with early diagnosis. Many children show reading problems before third grade, but as the reading demands increase with age,  it is important to diagnose any learning disorder as early as possible. Your child’s school may recommend an evaluation for learning disabilities with a certified educational psychologist through the school management.

SYMPTOMS

Dyslexia is linked to specific genes that influence how the brain processes language and tends to have a familiar connection. Detecting signs of Dyslexia before a child begins school can be challenging, but early indicators may emerge with parents or handlers’ keen attention. Teachers are often the first to notice issues as children start their reading journey. As children progress in school, Dyslexia symptoms may become more conspicuous. This can include: reading skills significantly below age expectations; memory difficulties, especially with sequences of information; difficulty with spelling; excessive time spent on reading or writing tasks and struggles in finding the right words or formulating responses, to mention but a few.In teens and adults, Dyslexia symptoms mirror those in children, such as: challenges in processing and comprehending spoken information, reading difficulties, including reading aloud and slow and effortful reading and writing.

MANAGEMENT OF DYSLEXIA

Currently, no medications exist for the treatment of Dyslexia. Instead, educational interventions can teach effective new ways to learn and read. Children with Dyslexia may work with a trained specialist to learn new reading skills.

Sometimes, slowing down a lesson gives a child with Dyslexia more time to cover topics. Work with your child’s school to ensure your child gets the type of education they deserve. Although there is no cure for Dyslexia, early assessment and intervention yield the best outcomes. In some cases, Dyslexia may remain undiagnosed until adulthood, but it is never too late to seek assistance.While it is not possible to correct the underlying brain differences causing Dyslexia, early detection and tailored interventions can enhance success. In many instances, management can enable children to become proficient readers.

Without intervention, Dyslexia can lead to low self-esteem, behavioral challenges, anxiety, aggression, and social withdrawal from peers, parents, and teachers.The most important thing you can do is to spend time reading aloud with your child. That time spent together can help them as they work on their reading skills. It is also important to remember that Dyslexia is not something that your child has control over. So, be patient and supportive.

The encouragement and backing you provide can be the boost your child needs as they learn to manage their conditions. It can also help them feel less anxious or afraid about reading-related activities.

A child with Dyslexia may suffer self-esteem issues or believe they are not intelligent. They also have a higher risk of developing mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. Positive support from parents and teachers can help a child overcome these obstacles.

Dyslexia is not preventable, but when it occurs, It is often manageable with different strategies for learning and reading. Talking with a healthcare provider, if you notice any early signs of Dyslexia, is the key. Let us use the little time that this break affords us to support our children’s mental health. If your child exhibits anxiety or other issues related to Dyslexia, seek management on time to avoid prolonged behavioural challenges that could affect the course of your child’s life.