Reading Disorder (Dyslexia)

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KEY POINTS

• If you have dyslexia, you have more trouble reading that most people do.
• Reading disorders are usually treated with one-on-one practice in reading skills. Find out what services are offered through your community to help people with reading problems.
• Practice reading all kinds of things, such as labels, signs, magazines, Yellow Pages, or web sites. Read books or magazines about what interests you, such as sports, art, animals, or science.

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What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a reading disability. It is very common. Dyslexia is also called developmental reading disorder.

If you have dyslexia, you have more trouble reading that most people do. The disorder affects your job and other daily activities.

What is the cause?

The exact cause is not known. It is not caused by vision problems. In dyslexia the problem is in the way the brain translates letters and sounds.

Like other learning disorders, it tends to run families. It is more likely if you were born with fetal alcohol syndrome, certain birth defects, or if you were exposed to lead poisoning as a child.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include

• Mixing up numbers like 35 and 53 when dialing the telephone
• Making mistakes writing the date, or mixing up dates and times and missing appointments
• Having a hard time filling out forms
• Having a hard time telling left from right
• Reading word for word and taking longer than other people to read a page of a book
• Having trouble understanding what you read

How is it diagnosed?

The disorder is usually detected in children early in grade school by parents or teachers.

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You may have tests to check your vision or look for other medical problems. Your provider may refer you to a specialist for testing and treatment.

How is it treated?

Reading disorders are usually treated with one-on-one practice in reading skills. Adults with an untreated reading disorder may have fewer career choices.

How can I help myself?

• Find out what services are offered through your community to help people with reading problems. Take a class with other adults who have problems reading. Talk about what you are reading and ask questions. This helps you understand what you are reading.
• Read books or magazines about what interests you, such as sports, art, animals, or science. Read for fun, as well as for practice.
• Practice reading all kinds of things, such as labels, signs, magazines, Yellow Pages, or web sites.