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How Dyslexia Affects Learning: A Deep Dive into Reading and Writing Challenges

How Dyslexia Affects Learning: A Deep Dive into Reading and Writing Challenges

Imagine a bright and curious child who is deeply interested in stories but fumbles while reading them. They attempt to read, but they find it difficult to decode the text. Such is the life of many children with dyslexia. While dyslexia doesn’t reflect intelligence, it affects the skills needed for fluent reading and writing.

The good news? With the right support, such as structured literacy interventions and personalized learning strategies, children with dyslexia can succeed.

Let’s analyze the ways through which dyslexia has an impact on education and how to deal with children who have such problems.

What is Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects an individual educationally, especially in reading, spelling, and writing. Unlike the common perception that assumes dyslexia is a sign of laziness or low IQ, it is a neurological condition that impacts the processing of language in the human brain.

Common symptoms of dyslexia are:

  • Having trouble identifying letters or associating sounds with letters.
  • Common spelling errors for both familiar and unfamiliar words.
  • Taking a long time to read and doing it on the reluctant side.
  • Struggles with understanding what they have just read.

Since reading is a foundational skill for all other subjects, dyslexia can put a child behind in school. However, students with dyslexia can learn to cope with these challenges by utilizing some form of early intervention or specialized dyslexia therapy.

How Dyslexia Affects Reading

Reading involves a multitude of processes, and dyslexia impairs one or more of these. The following are specific ways in which a child with dyslexia is more likely to have difficulty with reading:

  1. Problems with Decoding

For many dyslexic learners, recognizing words is like trying to solve a puzzle. They might have difficulty dividing words into their single sounds (phonemes) and then putting them back together. This can make reading a laborious and slow process.

  1. Problems with Reading Fluency

Even when students with dyslexia succeed in decoding the words, difficulty with reading fluency persists. Some children with dyslexia routinely take breaks while reading, sometimes only with a single phrase. Others literally skip phrases or lines or read words that look alike incorrectly. This slows down how fast they can read and understand what is being said.

  1. Difficulty comprehending the text

Due to the excessive effort their brains are putting into decoding the text, they might not be able to recall details of what they read, which is how comprehension is affected. Hence, dyslexic learners may need to read the same sentence more than once to understand the meaning.

How Dyslexia Impacts Writing

Writing is yet another task that poses challenges for dyslexic learners. The difficulty with spelling, sentence construction, and handwriting can be incredibly frustrating when attempting to express thoughts on paper.

  1. Spelling Difficulties

Dyslexic students tend to spell words incorrectly, even after practicing them multiple times. For example, words that are phonetically identical such as “their” and “there” can be especially troublesome.

  1. Issues in Constructing a Sentence

Constructing clear and cohesive sentences can be a challenge, as some dyslexic learners may tend to omit certain words, jumble sentences, or have difficulties with placing punctuation marks.

  1. Writing Difficulties

Others who have dyslexia can also experience difficulty in writing (dysgraphia). Their handwriting can be untidy, with a slow speed of getting the work done, which makes it more difficult to accomplish assignments.

Dyslexia and Emotional Distress

Outside of the classroom, dyslexia can greatly undermine a child’s confidence and self-esteem. When reading and writing become a drag, frustration and self-doubt start to kick in. Some children may begin to feel as if they are not intelligent or refrain from reading completely.

This demonstrates the importance of emotional assistance alongside academic support. Adopting a positive outlook, looking for the students’ unique strengths and developing them, and implementing learning methods for dyslexia can aid greatly.

How Online Dyslexia Tutoring Services Are Beneficial

Dyslexia support should be tailored to each child’s unique learning style. This is the reason why at DYStinct Learners, we provide customized online dyslexia programs to help students overcome their challenges. Here’s how we do it:

  1. Personalized Learning Plans

Within the same grade level, no two students have the same learning capabilities. That’s why we evaluate all learners and their strengths and struggles to build a learning plan that best meets their needs.

  1. Multisensory Teaching Methods

Our specialists combine visual, auditory, and hands-on approaches to learning to help reinforce concepts. This method makes it easier for those with dyslexia to memorize information.

  1. Flexible and Convenient Sessions

Through the use of technology in the education field, students can receive expert guidance while remaining in the safety and comfort of their own homes. No need for travel—just focused, effective learning at their own pace.

Additional Suggestions for Parents and Teachers

Besides professional dyslexia therapy, here are some suggestions parents and teachers can incorporate to assist dyslexic learners.

  • Encourage the Use of Audiobooks: Listening allows children to practice comprehension skills without the pressure of reading the content.
  • Promote the Use of Assistive Technologies: Speech-to-text programs, fonts designed for dyslexia, and spell-check apps can all promote progression in reading and writing.
  • Give Extended Time for Assignments: Providing additional time alleviates pressure and provides an opportunity to produce thorough work.
  • Focus on Strengths: Dyslexia does come with strengths in creativity, art, design, and more. Motivating their skills can inspire self-esteem and self-efficacy.

Why It’s Important to Act Early

Identifying dyslexia at an early age and giving guidance can positively change a child’s academic journey. If your child finds reading and writing challenging, don’t hesitate – seek professional dyslexia therapy to equip them with fundamental skills.

At DYStinct Learners, we are committed to helping every child succeed. Whether your child needs structured intervention or help with their schoolwork, we’re here to provide the support they need.

Want to learn more? Visit dystinctlearners.com to explore our services and schedule a consultation. Let’s make learning a positive experience for every child!