Characteristics of dyslexia

Overview of the characteristics of dyslexia

Characteristics of Dyslexia

Children with dyslexia may struggle with reading and writing.

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. It is characterized by difficulties with phonological processing, rapid naming, working memory, and processing speed. Dyslexia occurs across a range of intellectual abilities.

Phonological Processing

Phonological processing refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds of spoken language. Individuals with dyslexia often have difficulty with phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate phonemes, the smallest units of sound that make up words. This can lead to challenges in decoding words, which is the process of translating written text into spoken words.

Rapid Naming

Rapid naming is the ability to quickly name a sequence of random letters, numbers, colors, or objects. People with dyslexia may have slower rapid naming speeds, which can affect their reading fluency. This difficulty is thought to be related to the speed of processing visual and auditory information.

Working Memory

Working memory is the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind over short periods. Dyslexia can impact working memory, making it difficult for individuals to remember sequences of instructions or to hold onto information while engaging in complex cognitive tasks such as reading comprehension.

Processing Speed

Processing speed refers to the pace at which individuals can perceive and respond to information. Those with dyslexia may have slower processing speeds, which can affect their ability to read quickly and accurately. This can lead to difficulties in keeping up with classroom activities and completing timed tasks.

Reading and Spelling

Dyslexia can affect mathematical problem-solving as well as reading and spelling.

Reading difficulties in dyslexia are often characterized by inaccurate and slow reading, poor spelling, and difficulties with reading comprehension. Individuals may read at a slower pace and have trouble recognizing familiar words. Spelling can be inconsistent, with frequent errors in letter order and word structure.

Additional Characteristics

In addition to the core difficulties, individuals with dyslexia may experience a range of other challenges. These can include:

• Difficulty with handwriting (dysgraphia)
• Problems with mathematics (dyscalculia)
• Challenges with time management and organization
• Difficulty with foreign languages

Related Pages

• Learning disability
• Phonological awareness
• Reading comprehension
• Special education