GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - October is Dyslexia Awareness Month.
Until the end of the month, starting this week, we will be publishing a series of articles written by dyslexia expert, Lynne Marshall, principal of The Gift Class.
Dyslexia is most commonly understood as a reading issue. It is also widely known as the reason for people reversing b and d and words such as "was" and "saw". There is some truth to this in the symptomatic area of dyslexia.
Dyslexic learners have an incredible difficulty with phonetic decoding, which is the ability to identify squiggly lines (letters), translate the letters into sounds and string the sounds together to make a word.
For dyslexic learners this takes five times more energy than a non-dyslexic brain. Other dyslexic learners find it difficult to recognise what we call "sight words" - words that the brain needs to recognise and remember to produce fluent readers and ultimately comprehension.
Other difficulties may include slow processing skills, spelling and writing skills, organisational skills, ADHD/ADD, sensory difficulties, dyspraxia and motor coordination, as well as social and emotional skills.
Dyslexia affects 20% of the population - one in five people.
A dyslexic child has to impart more energy and effort than other children in a class. When a dyslexic child is allowed the accommodations that are recommended, it alleviates anxiety and stress and allows the child to work to their potential.
Each dyslexic child has an incredible talent to share with the world.
They can only do this if their self-confidence and self-belief are nurtured during their formative years.
Next week we will talk about how to help children with dyslexia.
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