More Dyslexia Symptoms

Dyslexia can also have some misleading symptoms that when manifested seems to be not a condition at all. Sometimes, this kind of symptoms seems like just incidences of carelessness. However, if they happen too often, it is something that you shouldn’t overlook. So here are some of the misleading symptoms that dyslexia has.

Reluctance In Writing

When a person is reluctant in writing things down, this can sometimes be thought of as simple laziness. However, unknown to many, a simple trait like this can already be one manifestation of dyslexia. Some people, who know that they are dyslexic, try hard to cover up their condition. That is why they may seem to appear as if they are just too lazy to write. Yet, the real reason behind this is that they are having writing difficulties, due to dyslexia. In cases when a person is not yet diagnosed to have the condition, this symptom can purely appear as a lack of enthusiasm with writing.

Telephone Message Problems

When a person gets confused with telephone messages, it can appear as simple carelessness or inattentiveness. But if this kind of confusion carries on, then it is already something serious, such as dyslexia. This symptom can be a really big problem, especially if your job somewhat entails you to answer the phone and take messages, like secretaries or receptionists.

Note-taking Difficulties

Note-taking can be a tedious chore to do when you have dyslexia. This can be most especially true if you are studying or have a job that requires this skill, like waiters. The thing is, sometimes difficulty in this skill is thought of to be being plain stupidity or clumsiness, by most people. That is why it can be another misleading symptom, unless accompanied by more obvious symptoms of the condition.

Comprehending Other People

Another misleading symptom would be difficulty in following and comprehending what other people are saying to you. Most of the time, other people would simply accuse you of not attentively listening to them. What they don’t understand is that you have dyslexia, which is the cause of your difficulty in following what they say. Additionally, it is even more difficult if the speaker is talking too fast in a very noisy environment or setting.

Sequencing Difficulties

Problems in sequencing can also be experienced when you have this condition. Even simple problems such as sequencing the days of the week can already be difficult for a person with dyslexia. Other people who are not aware of the existence of this condition can sometimes label a dyslexic person to be an idiot or stupid, since such skill is expected to be mastered already, especially if you’re an adult.

Figure Or Letter Reversal

If you have dyslexia, writing can be a problem for you. You can sometimes reverse how you write the individual letters or figures. You can also reverse the sequence of how they are supposed to be positioned in a word or in a number.

Time-management

Some dyslexic people can find it difficult to manage their time. However, deficiency in this skill can mislead someone to think that it is pure disorderliness, or simple personality differences.

These are some of the misleading symptoms of dyslexia. So, if you think you have these symptoms and some of the other more obvious signs of dyslexia, then be wary and try to get a consultation already.

Holisting Reading Method For Dyslexia

There are several programs and methods used in treating dyslexia. One of these is holistic reading. However, this method has undergone through a lot of research and testing, which led to the discovery of some issues against it.

Holistic Reading

A lot of experts believe that one main issue in field of dyslexia, is holistic reading. Because of holistic reading, a lot of people have come to be sight readers that have holistic reflex instead of phonetic readers that have a phonetic reflex.

A holistic reader is someone who perceives each word as if it’s a little picture. It is somewhat similar to the configuration of Chinese ideograph, where the reader would try to think what the word the symbol or character represents.

On the other hand, a phonetic reader is someone who associates letters to sounds. He or she would have to sound out each syllabic unit, which blends into one articulated word.

The Issue At Hand

The main concern here is that, failure to teach someone to read phonetically, but requiring him or her to memorize thousands of sight words isn’t really that helpful, since it can only produce educational dyslexia.

Sight words, by definition, are words that are learned without any reference to the sounds that the letters in the word stands for. Nowadays, a lot of publishers are selling books coupled with audio tapes so that, one can learn how to read using the sight method, even without the help of other people.

If this continues, the individual would only worsen his or her condition. A reading handicap is actually developed even more, without knowing it.

Experts have reached the conclusion that that when an inaccurate, subjective and ideographic teaching technique is imposed on a writing system that uses phonetic-alphabet and demands precise decoding, symbolic confusion is only created. Plus, frustration, cognitive conflict, and learning breakdown, also comes into play.

Knowing If You Are A Holistic Reader: The MWIA TEST

To know if you have become a holistic reader, you can try taking the MWIA test. This is a simple test that is used to measure the degree to which you have become a "subjective" reader.

This test was developed in North Carolina by Edward Miller, who is a former teacher and school administrator, back in the early 1990s. A lot of reading experts and school psychologists say that this method can help identify individuals that are schooled using the Holistic Reading method.

The MWIA test basically consists of two lists of words. The first list has words that are taken from the 220 most popular "sight words"; while the second list is taken from words in “Why Johnny Can't Read” by Rudolph Flesch, which are phonetically-regular words used in the first-grade level.

The main difference is that the words found in the first list, although may include about two dozen or more multi-syllable or irregular words, will be very familiar to Holistic readers. However, surprisingly, those words found in the second list may not. A holistic reader does not only slow down while reading the second list, but also commits some mistakes.

On the other hand, a phonetic reader is able to read both of the lists equally good. In fact, the second list may be read faster than the first since the words are easier.

Do You Have Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is one of the many learning disabilities that have an effect on language, and the acquisition of new knowledge. However, if you suspect that you have this condition, you should get a formal assessment. This is because; dyslexia can be mistaken for other learning disabilities that are related with it.

Here are some of the general symptoms that you have dyslexia and some of the related conditions that can be mistaken for it.

It Is Dyslexia!

When you have dyslexia, you may generally have some difficulty with the use of oral language. If possible, ask your parents or some relatives present during your childhood, whether you were a late talker or not. If they say yes, then this can be one sign of dyslexia. However, it can still be some other condition such as language delay.

Another characteristic would be difficulty in pronouncing words. Also, you may find it hard to acquire new vocabulary and use appropriate grammar for your age now. Directions are often confusing for you too, along with discriminating the difference of “before vs. after”, “right vs. left”, etc.

As a child, learning the alphabet was tedious for you. Even now, memorizing nursery rhymes and songs seem to be hard, even if you’re already an adult. Understanding concepts and the relationships of things can be something you don’t enjoy much. Additionally, word retrieval or naming problems are sometimes experienced.

It is dyslexia if you have had obvious difficulty with reading, such as learning how to read back when you were young, and inability to identify or make rhyming words. You can also have difficulty in counting the number of syllables that a word has.

Your phonological awareness can be damaged too. You may have some hearing difficulties. Plus, manipulating sounds in words is sometimes pretty hard to do. A little problem with your auditory discrimination can also be present, where you find it difficult to distinguish specific sound within a word.

Dyslexia can also show some difficulty in remembering shapes and names of letters. More often, you reverse your letters when writing or reading. You also tend to omit small words when you read, and stumble on long words. Comprehending what you have just read can also be a problem.

Your written language is also affected by dyslexia. You can experience some trouble in putting your ideas on paper. You can also have lots of spelling mistakes, and have problems in proofreading your work.

It Is Something Else

Some of the other conditions that are related with dyslexia are dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADD or ADHD, and dyspraxia. Some of these conditions have similar problems with dyslexia. However, they also have specific symptoms that delineate them from it.

Dysgraphia is basically difficulty with handwriting. Here you are unsure whether you are right or left handed. You also have very poor or slow handwriting. Copying can be difficult. Plus you fine motor skills are really in a bad condition.

Dyscalculia deals with extreme difficulty with math. Simple counting of objects is already hard. You can also reverse your numbers and have lots of calculation errors. Memorizing math facts are not one of your favorite things to do, along with copying math problems.

ADD or ADHD deals with difficulty on attention. You are very inattentive and easily distracted by things around you. You can also be impulsive and hyperactive at times.

Dyspraxia is basically difficulty in coordinating and planning body movements. This can affect both gross and fine motor skills. You can have some difficulty in coordinating your facial muscles, in which a simple smile can be hard to do.

The Benefits Of Dyslexia Evaluations

Having dyslexia can have a great effect on your life. It can also affect how people treat you and how they see you. If you and other people are not aware that you have dyslexia, then be ready for a big emotional crisis with your life. This is one reason why getting an assessment for dyslexia, no matter how old you already are, is important.

If you get a formal assessment for the problem, and results show that you are positive for having one, then expect a lot of lifestyle changes to happen with your life. How your outlook on yourself can change along with the outlook of other people around you. That is just one general point of how an assessment can change your life, and there is more to that.



Things Can Now Be Fair

Getting an assessment can make things fair now in your life. For example, examiners or your professors may give you a very low grade, due to your poor performance. But now, once you get an assessment, they can reconsider the marks that they give you and make it somewhat relative to your condition or diagnosed ability.

With dyslexia, what you learn from a course can seem to be less than what normal people do. However, it may only appear less when you are asked to write about it. There are times that you know the lesson and understand it but simply can’t put it into writing. If this is the case, your examiner will be able to rate you fairly and won’t think that you are simply not studying for the subject.

A Different Judgment

If you get a formal assessment, the judgment of other people regarding how you are fit to do a job or not can change. People such as potential employers or admission tutors are some of the people that need to know if you are a dyslexic or not. Since dyslexia can affect a number of functional areas in your life, performing a certain position or a job should be well though of and deliberated on.

Getting into a program, course or job that requires a lot of writing skills can be a problem, especially if this is your major problem area. However, your assessment does not only show your weaknesses, but also your strengths. If your particular strength is pointed out in your assessment, and potential employers see this, their decision can change too.

Support And Grants

Getting financial support and grants are another advantage of getting a formal assessment. There are some organizations, universities or employers that provide additional support to cover for your additional training, guidance or therapy. They can also pay for some learning equipments that you may need such as computers and digital or tape recorders.

Receiving support for this kind of things can be very helpful in a lot of ways, most especially if you are financially challenged. A lot of organizations, companies and institutions are now opening their doors to the disabled population, and this includes the dyslexic population. So there is no reason anymore for you to be afraid of being diagnosed of having the condition.

Extra Time

Getting a formal assessment can also reveal that you may need extra time for taking examinations. In cases of examinations, the extra time given would depend on your assessed skill. Of course, you should not use your being dyslexic as an excuse for personal advantages, or for malingering.

Dyslexia At The Workplace

Even though adult dyslexics are tremendously talented, they still have some problems that may need special attention, especially coming from their employers and colleagues.

Most likely, adults with this condition are defensive and secretive. They also write down inverted financial figures and phone numbers. A simple memo can take an hour of their time just to decipher.

Masquerade

However, even with the acceptance of the condition, most would still likely try to hide their illiteracy from their colleagues. They have their own subtle ways on manipulating other people to write and read for them, which is a skill that most dyslexics have developed during their school years.

In most cases, severe headaches are the result of putting much effort into trying to read with accuracy. There is a loss of productivity that is obvious to anyone, although it can be hard to estimate up to what extent.

Playing such kind of masquerade won’t do any good in the part of both employee and employer. That is why openness about the condition is needed so that the employer and employee with the condition can help out each other in able to achieve productivity and success.

Compromise

A little give and take between the employer and employee is important. Both sides should cooperate with each other on how they can improve the working experience and product of the employee.

One example would be devising a way to make it easier for the dyslexic adult to read while in the workplace. Employers should take charge and initiate that they’d be giving support to their employee to make reading easier. Adapting the workplace is easy, as long as there is cooperation between the workers and employers.

Some Reading Techniques In The Workplace

One way to help out reading disabled people so that they can efficiently work is to give them instructions orally. Dictating through an audio recorder or voice mail would also be helpful. Doing this can help save time and increase productivity since there is no more need for an hour long memo deciphering sessions.

Assigning someone to read things to them is okay. However, this can sometimes make the employee with the condition feel somewhat awkward. It would be better to provide a computer that has a voice synthesizer. The computer can easily be the one to read the memos for you employee.

Computers are of great help, since most dyslexics are good in using one. In fact, some people with this condition sometimes find it easier to read from screens than reading from paper. Additionally, they are able to compose presentable reports and letters by using the spell-checker feature of the computer.

On Writing

With regards to writing, avoid giving written tests that are similar to those given in school. Another is that if possible; avoid asking your dyslexic employee to fill in very complicated forms.

If your employee haven't had remedial training, then he or she has a somewhat disadvantage. But there’s no need to be discouraged, since they have accurate and detailed memories.

What you can do is to question them orally. You can also assign someone to write down their answers while they dictate it. If you really have to give a written test, then you are obliged to give extra time for your employee to answer it.

Additionally, the test should be conducted in an environment that is distraction free.

Guide To Dealing With Dyslexia

As an adult, after you undergo a formal dyslexia assessment, your psychologist would give you some general instructions on how you can deal with problems that dyslexia can bring about. This is done since as an adult, you are expected to understand and know already how dyslexia affects your life whether emotionally, socially, financially and the likes.

Being an adult you are also expected to be able to deal with these problems, provided that you are given correct instructions and advice. So here are some of the general instructions that a psychologist may give you after your formal assessment yields a positive result for the condition.

Acceptance And Information

When you are diagnosed to have dyslexia, the very first thing you can do to help yourself is to accept your condition. Denial can not do you any good. That’s why this may be the first thing that your psychologist would want to deal with, especially if they see that you have a very low self motivation regarding your problem.

Another general concern would be the people around you. Of course people that you meet and mingle with everyday has a big part in your life. This is especially true if you are working or studying. Letting them know and understand about your condition is the second best thing that you can do to help yourself.

By simply informing them and making them understand your condition, other people can make compensations and considerations for you. They can understand you better and stop thinking misleading thoughts about you.

The support of your family and friends is also important for your progress if ever you need to undergo special training. That’s why your psychologist may instruct you to tell them about your condition; so that they can provide the support and assistance that you may need during your training.

Special Considerations

Your psychologist would also likely discuss with you about special considerations. He or she may make a recommendation to your professors or any authority that you be allowed to have extra time, or other special arrangements, when taking any kind of examination or test. This is to ensure that your specific difficulties due to dyslexia would not improperly affect your performance during examinations.

Other Types Of Support

Another general instruction that can be given to you would be about the other types of support that you may need other than your family and friends. This support can be obtained by having a computer, which can greatly help you achieve tasks that you may have difficulty completing due to your condition.

Your psychologist would likely tell you about how and where you can get computers that has this kind of function. They may also recommend you to seek help from certain organizations that can provide such kind of gadgets.

Special Courses

You would also be briefed about your options regarding special courses that you can have. There are short courses that are specially planned to improve your performance in specific areas that you may be having difficulties with.

The courses usually include areas like reading, spelling, study-skills, report-writing, revision making, exam techniques, general organization and time-management. These areas are the common areas in which dyslexic people are having difficulties with.

Individualized Learning Program

You also have the option to have an individualized learning program. Your psychologist would tell you about how this kind of program works and the benefits it can give you.

How To Deal With Dyslexia

As an adult with dyslexia, you are not excused in dealing with day to day tasks that you need to complete for your survival. Thus, practicing some ways on how to deal with the common problems caused by the condition can be very beneficial, one way or another.

Reading Aloud

Reading aloud can be very helpful, in a way that you get to identify your mistakes and monitor your speech. Using a tape recorder for this technique is often the way to do it.

In this technique, you read out aloud while recording on your recorder. Then, you play back what you have just recorded and listen if you can detect some mistakes.

Your recorder acts as your “spotter” for the reading mistakes that you commit.

Time Keeping

Keeping track of time, appointments and schedules can be one problem that a dyslexic can face. Making use of the 24 hour clock format is one way so that you wouldn’t be confused on whether the time is during the night or day.

Writing What You Can Remember

Sometimes, when you are reading something long, you can have a hard time comprehending what you have just read. One way to cope up with this is through writing down what you can remember from what you have just read. For example, for every page that you finish, you write down ideas on your notebook.

However, this condition may seem to be a long process, since you would have to write everything that is on your mind. Nonetheless, even though it generally takes some time, it is very helpful during the long run.

Light It Right

The lighting of your environment can be very crucial, especially when you have dyslexia. Many have found that reading under bright lighting tends to slow down their reading. This is why having the right kind of light is important. Some find comfort in reading under soft white light, or even completely dim lighting.

Get Your Thoughts Back

When you are taking in too much information, you have a harder time on understanding what you are trying to learn. Thus, if you feel that you are not being productive anymore due to too much information, then it is about time that you take a break.

You should get your thoughts back in line. You can do this by simply taking a long leisurely walk outside and getting some fresh air. You can also try going to a quiet place, where you can do some meditation.

Finger spelling

If you have bad spelling skills, using the finger spelling method can be helpful to you. It works by putting up a finger for each phoneme or sound that you hear within the word. This method enables you to "see" the sounds. It can also work out which sounds are missing.

Using A Keyboard

Some people with dyslexia find it easier if they are spelling words through the use of a keyboard. The keys can sometimes give a calming effect to some individuals, while writing by hand can just cause the opposite.

These are some of the random ways on how you can ease up the effects of dyslexia in your life. The said techniques are often subjective, and can be helpful or not, depending on your condition.