Dyslexia Essay -- Learning Disabilities Dyslexic Essays Papers

Dyslexia Growing, developing and learning are the facts of life for all children. Each day children are faced with many new concepts and various challenges. Can you imagine how it feels for a child to face not only new challenges life has, but to face these challenges while living with a learning disability? These challenges are met not just when they begin school either. Students suffer from learning disabilities from the moment they begin learning, not when they start school. Learning disabilities are real and they affect millions of people. â€Å"One such disability that affects over approximately 15 percent of the total American population is dyslexia† ( Nosek 5).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We will discuss the following issues and areas surrounding dyslexia: What is dyslexia? Causes of dyslexia. Two different terms to describe dyslexia. Characteristics of someone with dyslexia. The learning process. Three areas that are affected by the disability. Focusing and behavior. Misconceptions about dyslexia. Seeking help through organizations. What exactly is dyslexia? â€Å"The word dyslexia is derived from the Greek â€Å"dys† meaning poor or inadequate and â€Å"lexis† meaning language. Dyslexia is a learning disability characterized by problems in expressive or receptive, oral or written language†(Wilkins URL). Simply put, dyslexia means trouble with reading, writing, and spelling. Dyslexia is not stupidity, laziness, lack of interest, or anything to be ashamed of. Dyslexia is not a disease; it has no cure and it will not go away. It knows no age, gender, or class boundaries. â€Å"There is a significant disproportion between the sexes, however. The proportions of male to female dyslexics are 3 to 1. Dyslexia can also be compared to amnesia because it is selective† (Bakker 23). Some experts use the term specific learning disability instead of dyslexia† Despite much research, nobody knows what causes dyslexia. Current research is focused on such possible causes as genetics, physiology, biochemistry, and structural changes in the brain. â€Å"There are theories that something is wrong with the brain or that certain chemicals are missing. One of the most popular theory is that dyslexia is a structural defect in the brain which involves the central nervous system† (Irlen 98). Numerous studies have been done throughout the years. â€Å"In 1907, the idea was first expressed that the genetic fac... ...start to cry. -David Artuso People can learn to cope and adjust to dyslexia by using different avenues, just the same as a blind person learns to survive in his environment. â€Å"Dyslexics have to work with and around their condition, not dream of getting over it† (Hurfort 33). Dyslexia is a condition that requires change in the person’s everyday life, not just in reading and writing, in order to perform well in society. Once a dyslexic adapts, according to his or her needs, that person can do anything a non-dyslexic person can do. Works Cited Bakker, D.J. Developmental Dyslexia and Learning Disorders. Germany: Karger Publishing, 1987. Grolier’s Encyclopedia New York: Macmillan Education Company 1994 Hurford, Daphne. To Read or Not to Read. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1998. Irlen, Helen. Reading By the Colors. New York: Avery Publishing Group, 1991. Nosek, Kathleen. The Dyslexic Scholar, Helping Your Child Succeed in the School System. Texas: Taylor Publishing   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Company, 1995. Savage, John. Understanding Reading Problems. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1985. Wilkins, Angela. What is Dyslexia? http://www.interdys.org/about_dy.stm. May 15, 1999.