Dyslexia,
also known as reading disorder, is characterized by trouble
with reading despite normal intelligence. Different people
are affected to varying degrees. Problems may include difficulties
in spelling words, reading quickly, writing words, "sounding
out" words in the head, pronouncing words when reading
aloud and understanding what one reads. Often these difficulties
are first noticed at school. When someone who previously
could read loses their ability, it is known as alexia. The
difficulties are involuntary and people with this disorder
have a normal desire to learn.
Dyslexia
is believed to be caused by both genetic and environmental
factors. Some cases run in families. It often occurs in
people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
and is associated with similar difficulties with numbers.
It may begin in adulthood as the result of a traumatic brain
injury, stroke, or dementia. The underlying mechanisms of
dyslexia are problems within the brain's language processing.
Dyslexia is diagnosed through a series of tests of memory,
spelling, vision, and reading skills. Dyslexia is separate
from reading difficulties caused by hearing or vision problems
or by insufficient teaching.
Treatment
involves adjusting teaching methods to meet the person's
needs. While not curing the underlying problem, it may decrease
the degree of symptoms. Treatments targeting vision are
not effective. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability
and occurs in all areas of the world. It affects 3–7%
of the population; however, up to 20% may have some degree
of symptoms. While dyslexia is more often diagnosed in men,
it has been suggested that it affects men and women equally.
Some believe that dyslexia should be best considered as
a different way of learning, with both benefits and downsides.
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