Dyslexia is one of the most widespread learning disabilities today. It affects one out of five children. Many children go undiagnosed or receive substandard support in overcoming reading difficulties. Dr. Shaywitz is a neuroscientist at Yale University School of Medicine and is one of the nation's leading researchers in the scientific study of dyslexia. Dr. Shaywitz is also the author of "Overcoming Dyslexia".
Dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty in learning to read. A person that has the intelligence, the motivation, and the proper schooling needed to be a successful reader, but cannot read, probably has dyslexia. People with dyslexia have trouble reading; it's not just letter reversals or reading things out of order. Dyslexics also tend to have problems sounding things out, they avoid reading things out loud because it takes forever.
Dr. Shaywitz recommends that parents intervene early in childhood. Children who have early intervention have higher rates of success. Brain scans of dyslexics before intervention and after intervention are considerably different. Waiting too long can cause the child to get further behind and risks the student becoming so frustrated that they stop trying and give up. Dr. Shaywitz also recommends scientific proven reading programs, good schools, effective teachers, and advocates educating parents in order to overcome the disability.
My niece is dyslexic, and she was told that she should never be required to read in public. This has taken a lot of pressure off of her. Thanks for sharing your comments about this interview with Dr. Sally Shaywitz.
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