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$Title{Medical Advice:  Dyslexia}
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Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Dyslexia right-handed left-handed right left Confusion telling time
Difficulty sequence remembering sequences Difficulties Hyperactivity Language
problem coordination Lack Poor memory balance reversed letters numbers
dyslexic reading problems mental retardation stupid lazy unmotivated dyslexics
up down visual perception learning disability disabilities}
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Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Dyslexia


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Confusion about being right-handed or left-handed
     - Difficulty in telling time or remembering sequences
     - Hyperactivity
     - Language problems
     - Lack of coordination
     - Poor memory
     - Lack of balance
     - Seeing letters or numbers reversed

     HOME CARE
     - The dyslexic child needs to be encouraged and supported, but not
       overprotected, by the family.
     - Work with the child's doctor and teachers to help the child.
     - Be sensitive to the effect the child's dyslexia may have on other
       family members.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - Professional help for the dyslexic child should be sought as soon as
       possible.
     - Be aware that an intelligent child who experiences unexpected reading
       problems may be dyslexic.
     - The brothers and sisters of a dyslexic child may need special attention
       or professional counseling.  Parents also may find counseling helpful
       in meeting the dyslexic child's needs.
     - Remember that dyslexia is not caused by, or a sign of, mental
       retardation, nor is it related to low intelligence, physical
       disability, cultural disadvantages, social or economic position, or
       brain damage.
     - The possibility of a physical or psychological cause for the child's
       problems must be ruled out before a diagnosis of dyslexia is made.


     Dyslexia is a type of learning disability that affects a child's ability
to read.  It is more common in boys than in girls.  It is not known exactly
what causes the problem.  Dyslexia often runs in families, but no specific
genetic defect has been found to account for it.  Some children with dyslexia
may have had an accident that caused an undetected brain injury, but others
have no such history.  It is known, however, that dyslexia is not a form of
mental retardation, and that dyslexia is not related to low intelligence,
physical handicaps, cultural disadvantages, low social or economic status, or
brain damage.
     A child with dyslexia often has no difficulties until entering school.
Then the child finds that he cannot do things that other children can do
easily.  This experience can be embarrassing and painful.  The child often
finds it impossible to explain the problem and may become so frustrated that
he either disrupts classes or becomes overly quiet and withdrawn.  Other
children may brand the dyslexic child as stupid; teachers and parents may
consider the child lazy or unmotivated.  The dyslexic child may, in fact, be
very intelligent and may be trying extremely hard to learn to read.  Pressure
from teachers and parents to work harder can be confusing and frustrating and
can lead to anger and rebellion.  Some children with dyslexia find other
activities that they can do well, such as sports or music.  This may help them
to adjust and feel more comfortable.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     Dyslexia varies in severity.  Some of the problems dyslexics may have
include the following:  confusion about whether they are right-handed or
left-handed; difficulty in learning to tell time or remembering the order of
days, months, or seasons; hyperactivity; problems with language, difficulty in
telling left from right and up from down; coordination and balance problems;
problems with memory; and seeing letters and numbers reversed.
     Dyslexia is diagnosed by a series of tests of visual perception, memory,
and space and time perception, and by medical and psychological evaluations.
A child who has the symptoms of dyslexia may have a disorder or disease of the
central nervous system, problems with hearing or vision, or emotional
problems, rather than a learning disability.  The possibility of a physical or
psychological cause for the problem must be ruled out before a diagnosis can
be made.

HOME CARE

     A child with dyslexia needs special support and help from the family.
However, the child does not need to be overprotected.  The child should be
challenged as well as encouraged.  Finding a balance is not an easy job.  The
child's teachers and doctor may be able to help parents work with a dyslexic
child.  The situation can be hard on the whole family.  Parents need to be
sensitive to how the problem may affect the dyslexic child's brothers or
sisters, who may need extra attention or professional help.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  If your child seems to be intelligent but has unexpected problems with
     reading, the child may have dyslexia.  The sooner the problem is
     identified, the easier it will be for the child.  Get professional help
     as soon as possible.
  -  Do not consider the child a failure--instead, encourage him to develop
     new skills.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     There is no cure for dyslexia.  If the child has physical or emotional
problems as well as dyslexia, these will probably be treated first.  A
treatment plan will then be made to work on the reading problem.  The plan may
be developed by a team of education professionals, in consultation with the
child and the child's parents, doctor, and teachers.  The plan will include
special education and training for the child based on his particular problems
and strengths.

RELATED TOPIC:  Hyperactivity