To understand what dyslexia is, it is necessary to understand the way our brain works. Dyslexia is a learning disorder of neurobiological origin that especially affects a person’s ability to read, write, and understand texts.
This condition is characterized by difficulties identifying speech sounds and relating them to letters or words, which prevents fluent reading or correct writing.
Despite this, a person living with dyslexia does not show problems in other abilities beyond the areas related to language.
In general, people of all ages can present this condition, although it often begins as a childhood neurodevelopmental issue.
Types of dyslexia
Dyslexia is not the same for all people, which is why there are different types of dyslexia depending on the area or areas affected, as well as the predominant symptoms.
Among the main types of dyslexia are:
- Phonological dyslexia or dysphonetic dyslexia: characterized by difficulty breaking down words into their basic sounds and associating them with the corresponding letters; a person with this type has trouble reading unfamiliar or uncommon words, as they rely more on memorization than phonetic analysis.
- Surface dyslexia or visual dyslexia: involves difficulties recognizing whole words and excessive dependence on phonetics; people with this type often have trouble with words that are not pronounced the way they are written.
- Mixed or deep dyslexia: a combination of phonological and surface dyslexia; people with this condition have problems with both phonetic analysis and visual word recognition.
- Perceptual dyslexia: related to difficulties in the visual perception of words and letters, which may include problems distinguishing the correct direction and order of letters.
- Acquired dyslexia: occurs as a result of a brain injury, such as a cerebrovascular event or traumatic brain injury, which can affect previously acquired reading and writing skills.
Symptoms of dyslexia
The symptoms of dyslexia can vary widely from person to person, depending on the severity of the disorder and even the age.
In young children, early signs of dyslexia may include delayed speech development, difficulty learning nursery rhymes or songs, trouble remembering color names, numbers, or letters, as well as confusion when identifying similar-sounding words.
During school age, writing and reading difficulties become more evident; for example, slow and laborious reading, omission, substitution, or inversion of letters in words, difficulty understanding texts, problems spelling correctly, as well as lack of interest or frustration with reading-related tasks.
In later stages such as adolescence and adulthood, dyslexia may manifest more subtly, although it continues to impact academic and work activities. Individuals may experience difficulty reading aloud fluently, trouble writing coherent essays or reports, difficulties with organization and time management, or challenges learning a second language.
Dyslexia when speaking
Traditionally, dyslexia is associated with reading and writing difficulties, but it can also manifest when speaking.
This occurs when the connections between spoken and written language present alterations, which can affect verbal communication fluency and accuracy.
Not all people with dyslexia experience speech problems, but those who do may have difficulty accessing the right words, mispronunciation of complex or long words, trouble organizing ideas while speaking, errors when using words that sound similar or have related meanings, and difficulty with speech rhythm.
It is important to understand that dyslexia and dyslalia are often confused, as both affect language areas but in different ways. While dyslexia focuses on difficulties reading, writing, and processing written language, dyslalia is a speech disorder involving problems correctly articulating sounds.
Given this condition, people may experience complications in their daily lives, especially during developmental stages. However, this condition does not limit a person’s potential; with early identification, effective strategies, and ongoing support, individuals with dyslexia can overcome many of the challenges they face daily.
At the ABC Medical Center Neurology Center, we can provide specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
MedlinePlus, Kids Health, MSD Manuals
