What the heck is Dyslexia? I need help!

What is a Learning Difficulty?

Learning difficulties affect many students in acquiring academic skills. These issues can arise from various factors, such as intellectual disabilities, physical or sensory impairments (like hearing loss), emotional or behavioural challenges, or inadequate learning environments. Those who have trouble paying attention and concentrating might also find it hard to succeed academically because they can�t fully engage with their learning.

What is a Specific Learning Disability?

Specific learning disabilities (SLD) are a particular type of learning difficulty. Kids with SLDs face significant challenges in certain academic areas but might have strengths in other areas. It�s important to note that an SLD is different from intellectual disabilities, which affect general intellectual functioning. In Australia, SLDs are seen as causing people to learn differently. When these differences make it difficult for a child to access the curriculum or demonstrate their knowledge, tailored interventions are crucial. These should be designed to address their specific challenges, creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a well-known specific learning disability that affects reading and spelling. It�s important to understand that dyslexia doesn�t reflect a lack of intelligence; rather, it�s a part of neurodiversity that affects how the brain processes language. People with dyslexia often struggle with phonological processing and decoding, which are essential for connecting sounds to letters and words. Because of these challenges, they might find it hard to read quickly and effortlessly, known as reading fluency, which in turn can affect reading comprehension. When reading isn�t automatic, more mental effort goes into decoding words, leaving less attention for understanding the text. The impact of dyslexia can be significant, affecting school performance, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Children with dyslexia might feel frustrated, anxious, and inadequate, especially in traditional educational settings where reading and writing are crucial skills. Recognising these challenges and providing support can help create a more inclusive and understanding learning environment.

How is Dyslexia Identified?

To identify dyslexia in children, professionals often use the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) and the WIAT (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test). The WISC assesses a child�s cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving and memory, while the WIAT evaluates their academic skills in reading, writing, and oral language, including decoding, reading fluency, and comprehension. Sometimes, psychologists also use the CTOPP-2 (Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing) to get a more detailed understanding. Using these tests together provides a complete picture of a child�s strengths and challenges, helping to pinpoint specific areas that need support.

What Can Be Done?

Addressing learning difficulties, including dyslexia, requires a team effort involving educators, parents, and specialists. Early identification and intervention are key. Evidence-based phonics programs can be very effective, focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

For kids struggling with reading accuracy or decoding, accommodations might include reducing the amount of required reading, providing decodable books, giving verbal and visual instructions, and using audiobooks. For those with reading fluency issues, reducing reading expectations, offering rest breaks, simplifying instructions, and providing early access to class texts can help. To support reading comprehension and vocabulary, assistive technology, pre-teaching vocabulary, and extra materials like outlines and summaries can be beneficial. For spelling difficulties, reducing written work, allowing alternative response formats, providing word banks, and using speech-to-text technology can make a big difference.

General adjustments include not keeping students in during breaks to finish work, adjusting the complexity of workloads, and keeping parents informed about homework and assessment requirements. Assessment adjustments might involve extra time, rest breaks, scaffolding, and alternative response formats.

In conclusion, understanding and addressing learning difficulties, specific learning disabilities, and conditions like dyslexia requires a thorough and compassionate approach. By raising awareness, providing targeted interventions, and promoting inclusivity, we can create an educational environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.

Written by Sheyan Gunapala (Psychologist)

References

1.https://www.adcet.edu.au/disability-practitioner/reasonable-adjustments/disability-specific-adjustments/specific-learning-disability/learning-difficulty-versus-learning-disability#:~:text=Learning%20difficulty%20is%20a%20non,of%20population%20have%20learning%20difficulties.

2.https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/specific-learning-disorder/what-is-specific-learning-disorder

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10453094/

4.https://meridian.allenpress.com/ajidd/article-abstract/126/6/439/472446/An-Overview-of-Intellectual-Disability-Definition

5. https://dsf.net.au/learning-difficulties

6. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-07934-002

7. https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032814-112842

8. https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fdev0000184

9. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-019-00444-1

10. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781394259397.ch15