DECODING
The impacts of the learning disability can be wide-ranging. BY KATHERINE WYRICK
“Y
ou might want to get him evaluated,” my cousin said out of earshot of our 5-year-old, Harrison (who was probably fashioning a robot out of whatever was close at hand). A learning disabilities specialist, she had noticed some early markers for dyslexia during her visit. His preschool teacher had recently recommended that he enroll in a transition year before kindergarten, so my cousin’s observation confirmed that something was amiss. When he was diagnosed with dyslexia soon after, his dad and I felt grateful to have found out while he was so young, but we were shocked. Harrison was articulate, an early talker who had an extensive vocabulary by age 2. His dad and I were both avid readers and read to him often. How could this bright, creative kid be dyslexic? What followed was a crash course in a learning disability that affects one in five people, or 20 percent of the population. This was just over 10 years ago, and much has changed since then — for the better — but there’s still a long way to go. Early screening and intervention remain key. Parents, too, need a lot of patience and support along this journey as they learn how to advocate for their children. Sounds like a tall order, but do not despair — help is at hand. In honor of National Dyslexia Awareness Month, we offer the following resources and information.
WHAT IS DYSLEXIA? First, let us dispel the commonly held belief that dyslexia results in seeing words, numbers or letters reversed or backward. Dyslexia is not due to a problem with vision. (An aside: Just because your first-grader still confuses his “b”s and “d”s doesn’t necessarily mean there’s cause for concern.) According to the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), dyslexia “is a specific learning disability that is neurological 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. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.” In short, dyslexics process information differently.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF DYSLEXIA? The impact of dyslexia, different for each individual, can be significant and far-reaching; it depends on the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of remediation. The IDA says, “Some individuals with dyslexia manage to learn early reading and spelling tasks, especially with excellent instruction, but later experience their most challenging problems when more complex language skills are required, such as grammar, understanding textbook material and writing essays.” Our now college-aged son struggles with these issues in addition to having some problems around spoken language, like expressing himself clearly or confusing words that sound similar but have different meanings. Dyslexia can also affect a person’s self-worth, leaving one feeling discouraged, inadequate or less intelligent than others. As a parent, it’s tough to witness this. Our son suffered from both low selfesteem and anxiety. Because he had to work twice as hard as his peers, he also experienced constant frustration (and headaches) when at school or doing homework. Harrison also received a diagnosis of ADHD, which compounded his hardships. Therapy, both traditional and academic, helped. In a recent conversation, Kimberly Newton, MS, LPE-I and psychological examiner for ACCESS®, stressed: “There is a high rate of comorbidity, but that’s why a comprehensive evaluation is necessary. Sometimes what looks like ADD or ADHD is avoidance ... as examiners, we’re tasked with teasing that apart. Is it avoidance? Inattention? Anxiety? Maybe there’s all of that.” Dr. Elizabeth Speck-Kern, a neuropsychologist in Little Rock who sees a lot of dyslexics in her practice, says, “For individuals with
“Many people with dyslexia are brilliant in others ways, especially the arts and visuospatial skills.” - Dr. Elizabeth Speck-Kern 4
SEPTEMBER 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM
