What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disorder, which is also known as a specific reading disability. It is characterized by one’s difficulty in reading due to problems in identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words. Thus, the basic characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory, and processing speed.

Dyslexia can occur in children with normal intelligence. Therefore, sometimes dyslexia goes undiagnosed for years and isn’t recognized until adulthood.

Because reading is a skill basic to most other school subjects and learning, a child with Dyslexia is at a disadvantage in most classes and may have trouble & difficulties keeping up with his peer’s student to learn new things.

Thus, parents need to be aware that if dyslexia is not treated early, the simple reading problem may escalate into trouble in general learnings, low self-esteem & behavioral problems at home, school, and later, work-life in adulthood.

There is no cure for dyslexia. It is a lifelong condition. However, nipping the dyslexia problem in the bud, most people with dyslexia can succeed in school and in life with tutoring or a specialized educational program & support.

What are the causes of Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is neurological and has been linked to certain genes that control how the brain develops. It appears to be an inherited condition that tends to run in families.

These inherited traits appear to affect parts of the brain concerned with language, interfering with the ability to convert written letters and words into speech.

Children who have dyslexia are at increased risk of having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and vice versa.

Co-existing difficulties may also be seen in aspects of language, motor co-ordination, mental calculation, concentration, and personal organization.

Dyslexia Signs and Primary Symptoms

• Reads or spells below grade level
• Making common errors in reading and spelling
• Problem in sequencing
• Difficulties in association with spelling and writing
• Difficulty expressing thoughts and may communicate more with gestures rather than words
• Poor handwriting and pencil grip
• Poor short-term, working memory
• Easily frustrated or emotional about school, reading, writing, or mathematics
• Appears bright and articulate but performs unexpectedly poorer than expected in the academic areas
• Performs much better when tested orally, but not in written form
• Has difficulty sustaining attention
• Has a poor sense of direction or confusion between left and right
• Appear very disorganized
• Reading and spelling with reversal eg. reversing letters (d, b) or moving letters around (left, felt)

How can Therapy Alliance Singapore help?

If you observe Dyslexia symptoms demonstrated by your child, do not hesitate to contact us for a No-Obligation discussion on your child’s condition with our Special Education Therapist or Teacher. Our Therapist will comprehend and assess your child’s condition before advising if a Dyslexia Test is recommended to affirm if the child is dyslexic.

If the assessment turns out to be positive, our Therapist shall propose an educational & treatment program to help him/her manage the condition. Our treatment includes Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Psychological Services.

Contact us by email or use the online form on the right. We respect your privacy, all information shared will be kept strictly confidential.

Contact Us To Know More About Dyslexia today!