Basic information and background about Dyslexia

Dyslexia



Dyslexic people have difficulties, in varying degrees, with learning to read, spell, and write despite average or above average intelligence. If you can spell, you aren't dyslexic!

There are 2.5 million dyslexics in Britain, with 1 in 25 children being affected. The condition may run in families, affecting males more than females. Several celebrities have publicly admitted to having dyslexia including Michael Haseltine, Duncan Goodhew, Jackie Stewart, Tom Cruise, the Duchess of Gloucester, Susan Hampshire and Felicity Kendall.

Dyslexia presents in various ways:
  • Slowness to start talking
  • Difficulty in making sentences and pronouncing words correctly
  • Clumsiness, difficulty in dressing, tying shoe laces, kicking or catching a ball
  • Confusing left and right, and putting letters and numbers the wrong way round, eg 15 for 51, and b for d
  • Difficulty in putting days of the week, months of the year, maths tables and the alphabet in the correct order
  • Difficulty in remembering facts
  • Poor standards of written work when compared to oral work, and messy work with lots of corrections

Dyslexia can also disrupt organisational apsects of life such as timekeeping, sense of direction and socialising skills. There is no cure, so it's vital that an afffected child is assessed early, possibly by an educational psychologist via the school or your GP.

A dyslexic child must constantly be praised and encouraged to boost their self esteem.

Recent research has shown that wearing specially tinted lenses has helped some children, so any child with learning difficulties should have their eyes tested by an optometrist using an Intuitive Calorimeter.

Dyslexics may be deficient in essential fatty acids (EFAs) needed for various brain activities. The effects of taking the product `Efalex', a combination of evening primrose oil, tuna oil, vitamin E and thyme oil, is currently being researched. Children with dyspraxia (severe clumsiness) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (overactivity) might also be helped.


IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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