How To Deal With Reading Disorders

By Catalina Nielsen


Learning is an essential process for any child. Without the ability to learn, or if the process is impaired, the individual may face serious challenges in life. This means they may not even have a successful education or social life. As they grow, this may affect their confidence and personality. Therefore, reading disorders should be addressed as early as they are notice.

Dyslexia is a condition where the child has difficulty with reading, decoding words, comprehension and fluency. Causes vary between individuals but these are normally underlying neuropsychological deficits as well as co-occurring learning disabilities. However, it should not be taken to mean intellectual disability.

The other condition is Hyperlexia. This occurs in cases where the child has a higher learning ability than his/her age. Such children normally have above average IQs. Nevertheless, the affected child may face challenges when it comes to understanding speech, as they are normally autistic.

Many theories have been put forward to explain how those with learning disabilities can be assisted. Some are based on research that target a particular underlying problem, while others are broad based. Some possible solutions have not been studied well and therefore still hold some controversies. Below are some suggestions and strategies that are known to work.

Word games have been proven quite helpful. Engaging the child in puzzles can be fun, but at the same time, it helps them learn. It may be a game, but it improves their vocabulary and they also become familiar with new words as they master the ones they use more often. Some of the games you can try include crossword puzzles, word bingo, Scrabble, and Boggle.

Try to read aloud. Sometimes, a child may need just a little bit if encouragement. When they hear certain sounds more often, they will learn to recognize them. Inspire the child to read directions, labels, and signs, be it on the car, classroom, stores or at home. This should be done in turns with other individuals.

Make the activity exciting. When children see others enjoying learning, they will also attempt to engage in the act. When this is done on a daily basis, they will make significant improvements in the words they use more often.

Help the child learn. You can encourage the child to remember what they have read. Have them explain, apply, or discuss information they have read. Because they will be teaching you what they have learned, they will feel encouraged.

Make use of listening books. Make the child listen to textbooks, trade book, videos and other audiovisual materials. This will help them see what they are reading in diagrams and be to relate with real life. Screen readers and related assistive technologies can be quite helpful.

Read to the child every night. Novels above the level of the individual have been proven to help stimulate and develop language. This will also help capture their interest and develop creativity. You should engage them by asking questions that assess their understanding of each chapter.

Engage all the senses. This will ensure they can touch, see, hear, and speak the word. This is one of the best ways of addressing reading disorders.




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