Dyslexia is a term that has been loosely applied to reading difficulties. Specific definitions for dyslexia vary with disciplines. Those in medicine define dyslexia as a condition resulting from neurological, maturational, and genetic causes, while those in psychology relate dyslexia on the basis of the specific reading problems evidenced and give no reference to causation. All disciplines would probably agree that dyslexia is evidenced by persons of otherwise normal intellectual capacity who have not learned to read despite exposure to adequate instruction. The dyslexic’s learning difficulties do not mean he/she cannot think, speak or be creative. Dyslexics become writers, doctors, lawyers, poets, engineers, artists and teachers. Just have a look at our VIP section. What Are Some Of The Characteristics Of Dyslexia? An individual is identified as dyslexic when a significant discrepancy exists between intellectual ability and reading performance without an apparent physical, emotional, or cultural cause. This means a person may be called a dyslexic when we know that he is smart enough to be able to learn to read but we "can't" figure out why he doesn't read.   Common characteristics include, but are not limited to: (1) family history of reading problems; (2) a predominant occurrence in males (males to females 8:1); (3) an average or above average IQ and, not uncommonly, a proficiency in math: (4) no enjoyment of reading as a leisure activity; (5) problems of letter and word reversal; (6) developmental history of problems in coordination and left/right dominance; (7) poor visual memory for language symbols; (8) auditory language difficulties in word finding, fluency, meaning, or sequence; (9) difficulty transferring information from what is heard to what is seen and vice versa. Specific reading problems associated with dyslexia include difficulty in pronouncing new words, difficulty distinguishing similarities and differences in words (no for on), and difficulty discriminating differences in letter sound (pin, pen). Other problems may include reversal of words and letters (b or d, p for q, saw for was), disorganization of word order, poor reading comprehension, and difficulty applying what has been read to social or learning situations.

Specialised Learning Centre for Children with Dyslexia in Subang Jaya, Selangor

Dyslexia

The word dyslexia comes from the ancient Greek language. Dys- comes from the Greek dus- used as a prefix to describe something as bad, difficult, impaired. Lexia comes from the Greek lexis, which means speech. Official Definition by the World Federation of Neurology, dyslexia is: "a disorder manifested by difficulty in learning to read despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence and sociocultural opportunity."