Hey, guys! Sorry I haven't been posting that much lately, I've had a bunch of essays to do! However, one of them was for my human bio class, and we had to a research paper on any disorder of the human body so I immediately thought of Orlando Bloom, and said, 'Well I'm going to do mine on dyslexia, its interesting and a bunch of people have it!' Anyways here is the finished project, hope it's not too boring! In human biology, there are many things that can go wrong with the body, more specifically the brain. However, the most common learning disability that affects the brain and phonological awareness, auditory short-term memory, and verbal comprehension is dyslexia, or ‘developmental reading disorder’. In this informative paper, I am going to discuss this life long condition. I will first begin to explain the effects that dyslexia has on a person, and the causes of this phenomena. Next, I will share how to recognize symptoms of the reading disorder, specifically in children. And lastly, I’ll conclude with information about dealing with dyslexia in everyday life.
According to the following statistic, “One in five students, or 15-20% of the population, has a language based learning disability. Dyslexia is probably the most common of the language based learning disabilities.” This is a startling statistic, because it shows that a lot of people have to deal with a disability that makes it more difficult to learn. In order to understand these difficulties, we first must know how dyslexia affects a person and their abilities. This developmental reading disorder makes it difficult to process symbolic codes, linguistics, and use in alphabetic letters representing sounds of speech, and numeric numbers or quantities. In fact, “The word dyslexia is derived from the Greek word, ‘dys’ (meaning poor or inadequate) plus ‘lexi’ (words or language). Implying only an inadequacy in language tasks”.1 However, even though these maladies can negatively hinder a person, they can also help a person excel. For example, many dyslexics sometimes have a stronger use with their right side of the brain, better thinking skills in the field of reason, conceptualities, and imagination. One the other hand, the causes of dyslexia are not as widely know as the effects are. Nevertheless, we do know that it is not the outcome of neurological damage or trauma, and it does not have a correlation with lower intelligence. “Dyslexia does not reflect an overall defect in language, but rather, a localized weakness within the phonologic module of the brain. This module is the functional part of the brain where the sounds of language are put together to form words and where words are broken down into sounds.”1 This is what doctor’s and specialists have pinned down as the cause of this disorder. Fig.1. A view of the Broca Area and Parieto-Temporal area showing a dyslexic brain and a nonimpaired brain.
Now that we know a little bit about what dyslexia does to the brain, and the cause of the disorder, we will now discuss the symptoms that appear with a dyslexic person. There are a large number of indications that a person has dyslexia, and these will be more apparent with children through grades 3 to 8. If a child has a problem with, “Understanding instructions or directions, staying on topic and getting to the point, naming people and objects, speaking with precise, accurate language, proper grammar and a varied vocabulary, pronouncing words correctly, rhyming, and understanding word problems in math,” they may be developing the disorder. Even though this condition is language based, some children may even show signs of dyslexia in their emotional and social behavior. Examples of this include difficulties in maintaining self-esteem, understanding people’s body language and tone of voice, and dealing with feelings of peer pressure. Again, these signs seen in children can suggest the prevalence of dyslexia, and the need for extra aid in school.
This certain learning disability may be exasperating to deal with at times, especially in school, yet there are ways to help deal with it. If kids are given more time in class to work on their tests, or have the option of taking an oral test, then their test score is more apt to increase. Also, the Orton-Gillingham learning method can help with learning problems that stem from dyslexia. This approach helps with cognitive functions and reading by teaching the basics of forming words, before learning the word’s full meaning, and associations. In terms of everyday life, people with dyslexia can do better completing tasks if they have fewer directions that they have to follow or complete. So for example, if someone is given a simple and short ‘to-do’ list at school or work, they are less likely to get confused or aggravated. Again, it is important that children know that they are not stupid if they have this disorder, they can still thrive and excel in other mediums such as art, and drama. Orlando Bloom, (famous British actor) has had dyslexia since the age of 7, and also agrees that creativity is a good tool for children with the disorder, “I think creativity is the key to any child who has dyslexia. When I was on stage preforming, creating – that was really what got me through.”
In this essay, I discussed dyslexia, or developmental reading disorder. I first explained the cause and effect that this disorder has on the brain. Next, I divulged some information about how to recognize and be aware of signs of dyslexia. And to finish my points, I talked about dealing with the disorder and tips on how to cope with it. Even though this disorder does hinder the brain, and some of the functions of the brain, it isn’t life threatening or painful, which makes it a livable disorder. Some people have to suffer much more sever brain disorders; hence, it is lucky that this particular disorder can also be seen as a gift, and can be dealt with rather easily. To conclude this essay, I will end with a quote from dyslexic actor, Orlando Bloom, “Take this obstacle and make it the reason to have a big life, because if you can overcome this obstacle you are going to be that much further ahead than anyone else. It takes having obstacles to learn and grow and be better. The challenge of dyslexia – the challenge of climbing a mountain – is something that you can make your own and make it a reason to be a winner in life.”3
[1] Shaywitz, Sally. 50 interesting facts
about dyslexia. Overcoming Dyslexia.
1-2 (2011).
[2] National Center for Learning
Disabilities. Common warning signs of dyslexia in children in grades 3-8. National Center for Leaning Disabilities.
P.1 (2014).
[3] Child Mind Institute. Orlando Bloom on
dyslexia, an obstacle but a gift the actor says. Hot Topic – Child Mind Institute.
P.1 (2010).
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