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$Unique_ID{BRK03681}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Dyslexia}
$Subject{Dyslexia Congenital Word Blindness Primary Reading Disability
Specific Reading Disability Developmental Reading Disorder}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
207:
Dyslexia
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Dyslexia) is not the name
you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate names
and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Congenital Word Blindness
Primary Reading Disability
Specific Reading Disability
Developmental Reading Disorder
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Dyslexia is a condition in which an individual with normal vision is
unable to interpret written language, and therefore is unable to read. Onset
is during childhood, and males are affected most often.
Symptoms
The primary characteristic of Dyslexia is confusion in the orientation of
letters. This is manifested by reading from right to left, failure to see
(and sometimes to hear) similarities or differences in letters or words, or
inability to work out the pronunciation of unfamiliar words. Attempts to
read or write are often characterized by letter and word reversal (e.g., "p"
for "g", "saw" for "was"). This condition is typical of normal first- and
second-graders, but it persists in the dyslexic child or adult.
Educationally, the term Dyslexia is usually applied when a child, usually of
average or above average intelligence, is two or more years behind his
expected grade level in reading. However, underachievers who are less than
two years behind reading level may also be affected.
The inability to read is inconsistent with achievement in other school
subjects such as arithmetic. Spelling ability may or may not be impaired.
The child may not be able to determine left from right. Abnormalities of the
senses and obvious neurological impairments are usually absent. The child
may be left-handed, right-handed, or able to use both hands with equal skill
(ambidextrous). A better than normal facility at mirror-reading or writing
is common. In some dyslexic children, images seem to blur at a relatively
low speed.
In attempting to satisfy demands that he read, a dyslexic child may make
up a story if the text contains a picture or may substitute words for those
he cannot read. He may not be able to vocalize words, i.e., to read aloud.
Symptoms of frustration are inevitable. The reading disability and its
effects on learning and school performance may lead to behavior problems,
delinquency, aggression, withdrawal, or alienation from other children,
parents, and teachers. Early diagnosis from ophthalmic, auditory,
psychological, and neurological examinations is important so the defect can
be treated before a pattern of frustration and failure is established.
Causes
The cause of Dyslexia is unknown, but a central nervous system defect in the
ability to organize graphic symbols has been suggested. One type of Dyslexia
may be caused by a defect in the dorsal part of the brain (cerebellum).
Dyslexia is often inherited, so other family members also may be affected.
Dyslexia can also result from injury to the language centers in the grey
surface of the brain (cerebral cortex), (e.g., head injury).
Affected Population
Onset of Dyslexia occurs during childhood, and lasts throughout life.
However, compensatory strategies can often decrease the impact of this
disorder in adulthood.
Dyslexia affects males more frequently than females. While a family
history of language disorders is common, Dyslexia can sometimes occur during
adulthood as a result of injury to the language centers in the cerebral
cortex.
Related Disorders
Alexia is a similar defect in the ability to interpret written language, and
the subsequent inability to read. This disorder develops later in life as
the result of a neurological lesion.
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Dyslexia is by remedial education since there is no medical way
to correct perceptual deficits at the present time. Psychological test
results help to identify the child's areas of strengths and weaknesses so
that a suitable teaching program can be designed. Remedial steps are aimed
at using the child's abilities and unimpaired capabilities to compensate for
visual symbol deficits. Special education services at school are often
necessary to assure that the child can reach his/her potential.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through April
1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Dyslexia, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Orton Dyslexia Society
724 York Road
Baltimore, MD 21204
(301) 296-0232
NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke (NINDS)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5751
(800) 352-9424
NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke (NINDS)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5751
Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities
4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
(412) 341-1515
National Network of Learning Disabled Adults, Inc.
P.O. Box Z, E.T. Station
Commerce, TX 75428
(214) 886-5937
HEATH Resource Center (Higher Education and the Handicapped)
One Dupont Circle, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(800) 544-3284
For information on genetics and genetic counseling referrals, please
contact:
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 428-7100
Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(800) 336-GENE
(301) 652-5553
References
MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN, 8th ed.: Victor A. McKusick; Johns Hopkins
University Press, 1986. P. 211.
THE MERCK MANUAL 15th ed: R. Berkow, et al: eds; Merck, Sharp & Dohme
Research Laboratories, 1987. Pp. 1975, 1980.