Dyslexia Solutions

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with dyslexia, you are certainly far from alone. According to brightsolutions.us, up to 20% of the world's population shows some degree of dyslexia. This is a staggering statistic.

The International Dyslexia Association, (http://www.interdys.org/) defines dyslexia as a learning disability centering around the use and comprehension of language. Simply put, dyslexia is the number one reason why bright children struggle with reading, writing and spelling. . Dyslexia is a disability that supersedes intelligence and socio-economic factors. Yet it can certainly permeate these areas and greatly impede one's quality of life. It is not gender or age specific and many adults carry the stigma of the effects of dyslexia throughout their lives.

A young child who has a tough time differentiating between b's and d's can become an adult who fails to process the instructions on an exam or job application. Important numbers can be misread or transcribed incorrectly on financial statements. The implications of dyslexia are more serious and far reaching than struggling to get that elusive 'A' in the classroom setting. They can greatly affect the quality of one's life and even lead to a sense of social isolation.

It is difficult to ascertain the precise numbers of people living with the disability. Unfortunately, proper diagnosis is often missed or attributed entirely to other disorders, such as ADHD. Often, dyslexia accompanies other behavioral or learning issues but is not treated separately as such. Additionally, early diagnosis and treatment are necessary for optimal results. Incorporating treatment plans into the academic setting at the earliest possible stages is obviously paramount to the future success of the dyslexic student. However, there is often no consistent or specifically defined testing methods in place in the school systems and ongoing treatment approaches can be very inconsistent.

Sue Bridgman, a Certified Dyslexia Testing Specialist from Greeley, Colorado, is passionate about reaching as many teachers, schools and parents as she can to ensure the success of these often overlooked creative thinkers. Those involved in the judicial system have long recognized a correlation between crime and literacy levels but as Bridgman points out, "Part of the problem is that we often wait until the child has failed or even worse, has become apathetic about education altogether."

She goes on to note that in addressing dyslexia, it must be treated as a neurological anomaly. This means that a successful treatment plan hinges on the rewiring of the brain and this is a 'tall order'. Many educators simply lack the training and resources to facilitate this long term approach in the classroom setting. As an educator, it is her experience that as many as 4 out of 5 children with reading problems have dyslexia. The disability tends to be hereditary in nature but the resources do exist to break the cycle.

Her message is clear.

"We need to work with these precious young learners while their brains are malleable. Preemption is the socially responsible response. Waiting until the stakes are higher and the individual has already experienced difficulties in the adult world is like trying to swat a wasp after it has already stung."

Parents and teachers alike can play a huge role in seeing that no dyslexic child is passed over or misdiagnosed. Accurate testing is a complex and individualized process, as is treatment. Advancement in this field has come a long way yet increased awareness and a call to action will go far in seeing that dyslexia is never placed on the 'back burner'.

To learn more about dyslexia testing and solutions, visit http://dyslexiahelpforyou.com/. Listed are numerous links to dyslexia resource sites and available support.

Giving dyslexia the attention it deserves can only lead to happier learners and ultimately a stronger community.