Copyright New Straits Times Press, Ltd. Aug 9, 2007
Coping with reading, writing issues
By Ellen Whyte
WHEN someone isn't doing well at school and they are putting in their
best effort, everyone worries. Until just a few decades ago, kids who
just can't seem to get a grip on reading and writing were stigmatised
as lazy, slow, stupid, or handicapped. Today there is still a lot of
prejudice, but thanks to better science and communication, we are
becoming more aware of dyslexia, dysgraphia, Meares-Irlen syndrome and
other conditions that affect learning.
There is no substitute for a professional analysis and treatment, but
if you, a friend or a relative has been diagnosed with such a
condition, there are some excellent Web sites that will help you
understand more.
DYSLEXIA. Dyslexics
have trouble recognising language, especially written language. Typical
problems include extremely poor reading skills, a tendency to read and
write words and letters in reversed sequences, reversals of words and
letters when speaking, difficulty with sound-symbol matching, omission
of syllables in multi-syllable words, poor comprehension in oral and
silent reading and extremely bad handwriting.
Studies suggest dyslexia is a neurological disorder, or a brain wiring
problem. While exact figures are disputed, research shows some five to
10 per cent of people suffer from dyslexia. the condition is inherited,
and that boys are more susceptible than girls.
A special tuition can teach reading a writing techniques that help most dyslexics overcome these difficulties.
Visit the British Dyslexia Association at http://
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk, Dyslexia International - tools and technologies
(DItt) at http://www.ditt- online.org, and Dyslexia Association of
singapore at http://www.das.org.sg for details. some local contacts are
listed at http://www.dyslexia- teacher.com/ malaysia.html.
DYSGRAPHIA. Dysgraphics have trouble writing, although they often read
well, and might even be able to copy written work beautifully.
This rare condition often comes hand-in-hand with other conditions such
as dyslexia, Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and
autism. It can also occur after an accident where the brain was
damaged. Diagnosis therefore requires experts, as does working out
appropriate treatment.
Because this
condition can stem from various causes, treatments differ. Occasionally
a doctor may suggest the best thing to do is to avoid handwriting
altogether and use a PC!
For details,
read the article from the West Virginia university site at
http://tinyurl.com/yux8fg, Dysgraphia: Causes and Treatment paper at
http://www.dyscalculia.org/edu563.html, and Diagnosis and Intervention
strategies for Disorders of Written Language at http://
tinyurl.com/25f9x7.
MEARES-IRlEN
SYNDROME. This unusual condition typically causes victims to have
trouble focusing on print material, especially black ink on white,
shiny paper. Their condition causes them to see the words "vibrating"
or "sliding off" the page.
In severe
cases, people with this syndrome might also have a restricted area of
clear vision, and difficulty interpreting facial expressions and body
language.
Treatment starts with a visit
to an eye specialist who analysis the exact vision problem. The patient
is then prescribed appropriate coloured glasses with tinted lenses and
given vision therapy that teaches simple techniques that improve focus
and concentration. Plastic see-through coloured overlay sheets are also
a useful tool.
For a discussion on this
type of therapy, read a summary article helping reading With Colour by
Arnold Wilkins from the Applied Psychology unit, Cambridge at
http://tinyurl.com/2f7ln2. Other useful Web pages include
http://irlen.com and http:// www.irlen.org.uk.
FINDING LOCAL SUPPORT. If you are trying to find a local support
organisation, try hati at http://www.hati.org.my, a non-profit
information provider for Malaysian charities, nonprofit organisations
and underprivileged communities.
WHEN someone isn't doing well at school and they are putting in their
best effort, everyone worries. Until just a few decades ago, kids who
just can't seem to get a grip on reading and writing were stigmatised
as lazy, slow, stupid, or handicapped. Today there is still a lot of
prejudice, but thanks to better science and communication, we are
becoming more aware of dyslexia, dysgraphia, Meares-Irlen syndrome and
other conditions that affect learning.
There is no substitute for a professional analysis and treatment, but
if you, a friend or a relative has been diagnosed with such a
condition, there are some excellent Web sites that will help you
understand more.
DYSLEXIA. Dyslexics
have trouble recognising language, especially written language. Typical
problems include extremely poor reading skills, a tendency to read and
write words and letters in reversed sequences, reversals of words and
letters when speaking, difficulty with sound-symbol matching, omission
of syllables in multi-syllable words, poor comprehension in oral and
silent reading and extremely bad handwriting.
Studies suggest dyslexia is a neurological disorder, or a brain wiring
problem. While exact figures are disputed, research shows some five to
10 per cent of people suffer from dyslexia. the condition is inherited,
and that boys are more susceptible than girls.
A special tuition can teach reading a writing techniques that help most dyslexics overcome these difficulties.
Visit the British Dyslexia Association at http://
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk, Dyslexia International - tools and technologies
(DItt) at http://www.ditt- online.org, and Dyslexia Association of
singapore at http://www.das.org.sg for details. some local contacts are
listed at http://www.dyslexia- teacher.com/ malaysia.html.
DYSGRAPHIA. Dysgraphics have trouble writing, although they often read
well, and might even be able to copy written work beautifully.
This rare condition often comes hand-in-hand with other conditions such
as dyslexia, Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and
autism. It can also occur after an accident where the brain was
damaged. Diagnosis therefore requires experts, as does working out
appropriate treatment.
Because this
condition can stem from various causes, treatments differ. Occasionally
a doctor may suggest the best thing to do is to avoid handwriting
altogether and use a PC!
For details,
read the article from the West Virginia university site at
http://tinyurl.com/yux8fg, Dysgraphia: Causes and Treatment paper at
http://www.dyscalculia.org/edu563.html, and Diagnosis and Intervention
strategies for Disorders of Written Language at http://
tinyurl.com/25f9x7.
MEARES-IRlEN
SYNDROME. This unusual condition typically causes victims to have
trouble focusing on print material, especially black ink on white,
shiny paper. Their condition causes them to see the words "vibrating"
or "sliding off" the page.
In severe
cases, people with this syndrome might also have a restricted area of
clear vision, and difficulty interpreting facial expressions and body
language.
Treatment starts with a visit
to an eye specialist who analysis the exact vision problem. The patient
is then prescribed appropriate coloured glasses with tinted lenses and
given vision therapy that teaches simple techniques that improve focus
and concentration. Plastic see-through coloured overlay sheets are also
a useful tool.
For a discussion on this
type of therapy, read a summary article helping reading With Colour by
Arnold Wilkins from the Applied Psychology unit, Cambridge at
http://tinyurl.com/2f7ln2. Other useful Web pages include
http://irlen.com and http:// www.irlen.org.uk.
FINDING LOCAL SUPPORT. If you are trying to find a local support
organisation, try hati at http://www.hati.org.my, a non-profit
information provider for Malaysian charities, nonprofit organisations
and underprivileged communities.
Source