What is dyslexia and how does it manifest itself? - dyslexia
Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to read, write, and spell accurately and fluently. It is characterized by difficulties in word identification and processing, as well as challenges in reading comprehension and written expression.
These difficulties are usually due to a deficit in the phonological component of language, which is not necessarily related to the individual's overall intelligence. The signs and symptoms of dyslexia can vary widely depending on the developmental stage of the affected person.
- Preschool age: the early stage of child development, covering ages 3 to 6. During this phase, children begin to acquire essential social, emotional, and cognitive skills. It is a crucial period that fosters exploration, creativity, and the development of autonomy. Significant delays in speech development, difficulties learning rhymes, and notable problems remembering letter or color names are common.
- Primary school age: Reading becomes a slow and laborious task, with frequent errors during oral reading. There are also difficulties understanding the content and spelling issues.
- Adolescence and transition to adulthood: A period marked by physical, emotional, and social changes that influence identity formation and decision-making. Persistent difficulties with reading fluency and comprehension, lack of interest in extensive reading, trouble summarizing long texts, and ongoing spelling problems are common.
It is important to highlight that dyslexia is a neurological disorder of genetic origin and is not linked to a lack of interest or educational opportunities.