Child Development: Symptoms of Dyslexia Essay Example

for special lessons much earlier (Youman & Mather, 2013).

Early screening for dyslexia is of great importance, and this is because it allows parents as well as reading specialists to lessen the reading difficulties experienced by the children at home and school respectfully. At home, parents are asked to help their children by encouraging them to read. For example, reading to the child improves his listening skills as well as vocabulary. In addition to reading to the child, parents are also urged to share the reading with them (Fielding-Barnsley & Purdie, 2003). At school, reading specialists assigned to the children pay more attention to the phonological skills that ease the children’s ability to identify accurately and process word sounds. A Proper comprehension of phonemes is usually a clear indicator of improvement in children with dyslexia. According to Fielding-Barnley and Purdie (2003), phonemic awareness enables these kids to decode what they are reading and comprehend it. Learning how to manipulate sounds verbally gradually improves their writing skills.

Early screening has been a success not only in the United States but also in other nations such as the United Kingdom. The fact that nations are embracing the idea of early screening for dyslexia is enough proof that the solution was successful. Although dyslexia is a permanent condition, early screening enables dyslexic children to have a normal life just like other children. Although early screening for dyslexia is the most appropriate solution to controlling this condition among children, not everybody supports the system. Most elementary schools in the US are not in support of the current methods used to test children for dyslexia. According to most tutors, the method used

will not only stifle creativity but also discriminate dyslexic pupils (Laura, 2009). In the screening tests performed at schools, children are made to spell more than one hundred keywords. Judgment is then made depending on the number of words the pupils spelled correctly. Teachers claim that these testing methods are draconian and pedantic, and this because they are stifling creativity. Since the tests are done in English, tutors believe the process is discriminatory since those weak in English will be disadvantaged (Laura, 2009).

There are numerous resources in my community aimed at addressing the issue of dyslexia. For example, there are plenty of books and journals that talk about dyslexia. Through these books,
US citizens acquire more information about dyslexia and its effects. Additionally, the books also provide insights on necessary actions that should be taken by parents with dyslexic children. Apart from parents, these resources also equip teachers with skills on how to handle such children. One popular book available in my community is The Dyslexic Advantage that was written by Brock and Fernette Eide. The book mainly addresses the various ways of overcoming dyslexic.

Apart from books and articles, the community also has several institutions that offer training on dyslexia. Through these programs, parents learn how to take care of dyslexic children (Booth, 2013). For instance, parents are urged to read together with the child as it gradually improves their vocabulary. Apart from parents, these programs are also beneficial to elementary school teachers. Through these programs, teachers are taught how to identify pupils suffering from dyslexia. Apart from reading and writing difficulties, other symptoms dyslexia are speech problems as well as difficulty in pronouncing long words

(Booth, 2013).

Since the current generation revolves around technology, it is clear that these problems will be addressed trough the help of technology. The fact that many software applications offer assistance with spelling and vocabulary is enough proof that soon there will be similar software applications tailored for dyslexic children (Hiscox, Leonavi?i?t? & Humby, 2014). These applications will improve the dyslexics’ reading ability much faster compared to the specialists, and this is because reading will be more fun since the software will be in the form of a game with simple puzzles. According to my opinion, this solution will be successful because it will be less costly than hiring a reading specialist. Additionally, through these applications, dyslexic pupils will have the options of reading both from home as well as at school. It will also be easy for the kids to study independently (Hiscox, Leonavi?i?t? & Humby, 2014).

Although dyslexia is a permanent health condition, early intervention enables one to have a normal life. In a move to address the issue of dyslexia, the United States is training more special teachers on how to handle dyslexics. Aside from training more teachers, parents have also been urged to ensure that their children undergo early screening for dyslexia. Early detection allows the child to be enrolled in special classes much earlier. At home, parents also ought to assist the child with reading. For example, reading with the child enables him to grasp some vocabularies. Apart from reading with the kid, it is also advisable that the parent reads while the child listens. Currently, numerous institutions offer training on how to take care of dyslexic children. Parents and teachers attend

these classes since they interact with dyslexic kids more often. In addition to classes, there are also books and articles on dyslexia. These resources offer more insights to parents and teachers.

Reference

• Booth, S. (2013). When School Is Hard. Scholastic Parent & Child, 21(3), 20-26.
• Fielding-Barnsley, R., & Purdie, N. (2003). Early intervention in the home for children at risk of reading failure. Support For Learning, 18(2), 77-82. doi:10.1111/1467-9604.00284
• Hiscox, L., Leonavi?i?t?, E., & Humby, T. (2014). The Effects of Automatic Spelling Correction Software on Understanding and Comprehension in Compensated Dyslexia: Improved Recall Following Dictation.
• Dyslexia (10769242), 20(3), 208-224. doi:10.1002/dys.1480
• Laura, C. (2009, April 8). Pupils who are poor readers 'wrongly given dyslexic label'. Daily Mail. p. 34.
• Pavey, B. (2016). Dyslexia and Early Childhood: An Essential Guide to Theory and Practice. United Kindom: Routledge
• Peter, M. (2013). Training special educators: sustaining professional development in special school placements. Support For Learning, 28(3), 122-132. doi:10.1111/1467-9604.12030
• Youman, M., & Mather, N. (2013). Dyslexia laws in the USA. Annals Of Dyslexia, 63(2), 133- 153.