Dyslexia is one of the most common reading disorders, characterized by difficulties in reading despite normal intelligence and adequate educational opportunities. It affects the ability to recognize and decode written words, making reading a challenging task for those who experience it. Dyslexia is not linked to vision problems, but rather to the way the brain processes language.
Key Characteristics of Dyslexia:
1. Difficulty with Phonological Processing:
Dyslexia primarily affects phonological processing, which is the ability to break down words into their basic sound units (phonemes). Individuals with dyslexia often struggle to connect sounds with their corresponding letters or letter patterns, leading to reading errors.
2. Slow Reading Speed:
People with dyslexia may read much slower than their peers because they have to work harder to decode each word. This can affect reading comprehension, as the extra effort required for decoding leaves less cognitive capacity for understanding the meaning of the text.
3. Spelling Issues:
Spelling is often a significant challenge for individuals with dyslexia. They may reverse letters or struggle to remember common spelling rules. This difficulty is tied to their phonological processing deficits, making it hard to translate sounds into written form accurately.
4. Difficulty with Word Recognition:
Dyslexia can make it difficult for individuals to recognize familiar words automatically. This lack of automaticity slows down reading and increases the cognitive load on working memory, which impacts overall reading comprehension.
5. Associated Learning Challenges: