What is Dyslexia?
Dys=difficulty
lexia=language
According to Susan Barton, a leading expert in the fields of dyslexia and ADD, and founder of the Barton Reading and Spelling System states..."Dyslexia is an inherited condition that makes it extremely difficult to read, write, and spell in our native language-despite at least average intelligence."
The National Institute of Health has been studying dyslexia for more than 25 years. Here is their research-based definition:
"Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problem in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge."
Latest Brain Research
Modern neuro-imaging has made it possible to "see" inside living, performing human brains. Through the extensive research of Dr. Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham, pioneers in the field of dyslexia, found that the brain is comprised of two hemispheres, a left and right. They also discovered that the brain was 10% larger in the right hemisphere of a dyslexic person. Thus the reason behind many of the gifts of a dyslexic person.
Unfortunately though, reading and language all takes place in the left hemisphere. Through the use of fMRI, it has proven that dyslexics use alternate circuits and alternate pathways. To learn more about this fascinating research, read Overcoming Dyslexia, by Dr. Sally Shaywitz, M.D.
Now for the good news: As stated by the NIH, April 19th, 2004, press release..."A brain imaging study has shown that after they overcome their reading disability, the brains of formerly poor readers begin to function like the brains of good readers."
Images show that effective reading instruction not only improves reading ability, but actually changes the brain's functioning so that it can perform reading tasks more efficiently.