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It is common for different disabilities to be misunderstood by society. Not only does this undermine the people with disabilities, but it also spreads misinformation that can hinder the ability of people to become more acquainted with specific disabilities. One example of a commonly misunderstood disability is dyslexia. This learning disability impacts reading comprehension, spelling, writing, and fluency in reading. The lesser-known effects of dyslexia include changes in a learner’s personality, motivation, and cognitive strength.
A key sign of dyslexia is when people have difficulty matching letters and sounds. Some children with dyslexia have difficulty making out the sounds in words. Other symptoms of dyslexia are displayed through social behaviors such as resistance to reading aloud or individually, anxiety due to reading, problems with reading retention, and a lack of social interaction. To help people with dyslexia feel more comfortable and confident, there are many reading programs designed to help dyslexic students who are struggling. One common approach is multisensory, which includes the use of sight, smell, and touch in instruction. With these programs, people with dyslexia have a chance to receive assistance that is crafted for their needs.
Dyslexia typically runs in families. Statistics show that around 40% of siblings of people with dyslexia also struggle with reading. About 49% of parents who have dyslexic children also have it. While there is evidence backing up the hereditary aspect of dyslexia, there is still not a lot of certainty pertaining to what truly causes dyslexia. However, scientists have discovered genes related to issues with reading and processing language, which might point to unanswered questions surrounding dyslexia.
When it comes to any disability, there are sure to be misconceptions and false beliefs related to them. A common misconception about dyslexia is that its symptoms begin to appear in elementary school, when in reality, dyslexia can develop and sometimes even in preschool. Contrary to popular belief, dyslexia is not related to vision problems, as people with dyslexia are equally as likely to have issues with eyesight as people without dyslexia. Another misconception is that dyslexic people need to put in more effort to read more fluently, but the amount of effort put into reading will not make a positive impact. Instead, the type of instruction that is specifically carved out for dyslexic learners is what can make a change.
It is essential to not only be aware of different disabilities, but also to understand them on a deeper level. Being knowledgeable about disability allows people to be more accepting and helpful towards people with them. Certain disabilities, such as dyslexia, require people to need more personalized instruction to thrive to the fullest. Additionally, being more open to learning about disabilities can destigmatize them and create a culture that can benefit everyone, no matter who they are and what they go through.
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Sources:
Butcher, Hayley. “A Day in my Dyslexic Life.” Dyslex
ia the Gift Blog, 3 July 2020, https://blog.dyslexia.com/day-in-my-dyslexic-life/. Accessed 19 June 2023.
Eden, Guinevere. “What Is Dyslexia.” Understood.org, https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-dyslexia. Accessed 19 June 2023.
“Living with Dyslexia.” UNESCO MGIEP, https://mgie
p.unesco.org/article/living-with-dyslexia. Accessed 19 June 2023.
Morin, Amanda. “7 Myths About Dyslexia.” Understood.org, https://www.understood.org/articles/common-myths-about-dyslexia-reading-issues. Accessed 19 June 2023.
Park, Alice. “Why Dyslexia Is More Than a Reading Disorder.” TIME, 21 December 2016, https://time.com/4608060/dyslexia-reading-disorder/. Accessed 19 June 2023.