Dyslexia: Truths and Misconceptions

Dyslexia is a disorder that hampers the reading and understanding of written language.

No one is born skilled in this world. The moment we come out, we are like sponges at first; absorbing every bit of information we are shown. As we grow, we develop more sophisticated skills and get used to them rapidly, but for those born with a learning disorder, it’s entirely different.

Dyslexia’s a disorder that affects reading in general. Those who have it face an actual challenge to read accurately, which affects their reading comprehension and writing. Contrary to what’s believed, children with dyslexia are as skilled as any of their peers and happen to have a full vocabulary too.

The problem comes when they are asked to read and extract information. The dyslexic children limitations and struggle reside in reading as they find it hard to learn written contents, making every word a challenge itself. To understand what they’re reading, they need to take longer lapses of time and often require re-reading to understand and learn.

Moreover, parents and teachers tend to confuse dyslexia with lack of attention and intelligence, causing children to be wrongly understood. To help them, we brought up some truths and myths about dyslexia.

Myth #1: If you’re smart and do well in school, there’s no way you are dyslexic.

True: Dyslexics are very intelligent and tend to perform great at school. If approached and identified their condition early on, they can be provided with tools to demonstrate just how smart they are.

Myth #2: People who are dyslexic can’t read.

True: Dyslexia isn’t a reading disability, it’s a learning disorder. Dyslexic individuals find it hard to read, but they’re perfectly able to do so.

Myth #3: Dyslexia is a visual condition.

True: Children can have a visual problem and reverse letters and words without necessarily having dyslexia. Changing letter is neither a sign of dyslexia nor a visual problem.

Myth #4: Dyslexia can be cured.

True: This learning disorder is a lifelong challenge. It can be treated early on but not cured. By giving children the proper accommodations in both house and school, your kids will have a positive effect on their future.

It’s important to break these myths and assist both children and parents into knowing to differentiate what’s real and what’s not. Early diagnosis has proven to be determinant for dyslexics as it allows them to have a better understanding of their condition.

As a parent, you always want to give them the best and see your children grow nicely. Whether they have a learning disorder or autism, it is your responsibility to look up for them at all times. Do you seek for a place that cares for your children as much as you do? Autism Soccer has that and more! Access to their website and see their labor for yourself.

It was believed that dyslexia and low intelligence were related. But children with dyslexia are as smart and capable as any other.

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Reading Comprehension in Autistic Children

Autistic or not, there are certain basics about reading comprehension that children need to understand frst.

It’s widely known that autistic children can develop some skills further than other people. Their improved word recognition is one of the reasons why they can learn so quickly, but they also have problems when reading. What does it mean having an impaired reading comprehension?

When reading, your mind usually associates words with images and then turns them into a general idea of what the text or article is trying to say. When there’s an impairment in reading comprehension, you can’t turn those ideas in a context that makes sense, which leads to confusion and misinterpretations of what you’re reading. This worsens if there happens to be an unfamiliar word in the text, making it harder to translate what’s being read into a structured idea.

Another factor that complicates reading for autistic children is the language and communicational skills. It is hard for autistics to understand vocabulary they don’t use (due to their difficulties to express) in their daily routines. This difficulty directly affects in their written language decoding.

Early literacy development requires reading comprehension, and it’s a critical part of learning. As a parent or teacher, it’s necessary to instruct yourself into teaching autistic children effectively.

To help you out, we have a set of steps you can use to help autistic children improve their reading:

1.- Build background knowledge

Before getting into reading, it’s important to assist them showing them concepts and information related to what the children are about to be taught. You need to be the most explicit you can be and avoid leaving anything to the imagination.

2.- Develop mental images

Mental imaging improves the skills of autistic children. Before getting to the subject, try to preview a story using pictures as an example. Encourage their participation by asking them what they see, and if they don’t know, make a short and easy explanation of it. Keep in mind that images are highly efficient and will be determinant to develop associative skills.

3.- Create connections

As they read the contents, help them by creating a graphic organizer so they can sort out ideas and connect with the text. Guide them into making connections. For example, you can explain the meaning behind certain metaphors by putting them as an example.

You could use: “The swan is swimming under the sea,” and then create another sentence saying “I am swimming under the sea,” and create a Venn diagram, with each sentence two sentences. In the center of the two circles add “we swim in the water” and “both places are filled with water.” Guide them carefully when joining of both ideas.

4.- Promote discussions after reading

This part of the process is what children require the most to face reading and communication challenges. Engage children in discussing and ask wh- questions such as: “What do you think happened there?" or “Who was that person?” These questions will help them understand what’s the text all about. Use reciprocal questioning (allowing the children to ask) as a way to approach them. It will engage them into speaking their thoughts regarding the text.

5.- Conclusions after reading

Don’t let the discussion be the end of it. Summarize all information around the text to recall what happened and ask questions about the main idea of the story. This part encourages children to think profoundly about what they just read. It’s important you assist them as it could be hard for them.

As you can see, reading comprehension development requires a little more effort for autistic children. With these tools, there’s no doubt your kids will be able to understand and extract valuable information from texts.

Exercising the mind is mandatory for growing children, but the body also demands some care. If you’re looking for a place for them to train, Autism Soccer will undoubtedly shape them up, both physically and mentally. They are a team of professionals that will assist your children in their growth as individuals. Check their website, and you’ll see!

Before letting your children read something make sure you explained them all concepts and words you can.

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They Love Books More Than You Think

They're better at processing visual-related contents, use that to your advantage. 

Kids love fantasy stories, we know that. Everyone remembers what was like to see Pinocchio’s adventures or Peter Pan flying around with his friends. The fantasy movies have magic in them that no kid can resist. The same magic is on the books, and they have a stronger effect on children. Most of the adults that used to read or being read as kids, developed better social capabilities, strong brains and a positive attitude towards reading.

It won’t be easy to make grow your special kid into the habit of reading, but once he does, you will notice the difference in the future. Let me give you some tips on how to make him fall more in love with you (and books):

• It’s never too early to learn: Children with autism develop literacy skills at the same time as other children. Encourage them to learn by playing visual and verbal games, associate words with images, let him watch and process the information he’s receiving.
• Don’t wait until he starts talking: They can hear you perfectly. The main reason a child starts talking is because he is listening, so communicate with him, read him stories, show him how to read by pointing the letters of the book and saying them, slowly, syllable by syllable.
• Daily lessons: Make the routine a lesson. Put labels in things he usually sees, name them for him: The TV, the table next to his bed, most of his toys. He will associate them little by little.
• Common  books or magazines: Don’t stay in the typical genre of books, ask him what he likes, read him books about trains or streets or even history, as long as they’re illustrated and predictable.

Books are the best way to help your children grow while also bonding together. Reading a book to your child will never be a loss, but hey, don’t forget to let him go out and see the world, and exercise with the professionals of Autism Soccer, which I’m sure will help your children to be ready for what’s out there.

Strong bonding through reading can make him fall in love with you (and the books).

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