Understanding Dyslexia: A Parent's Guide

As the leaves change colors and the air turns crisp, we find ourselves embracing all the joys that fall brings - cooler weather, apple cider donuts, and cozy sweaters. But October also marks Dyslexia Awareness Month, an important opportunity to shed light on a learning disability that affects millions of children and adults around the world. At Hyperion LLS, we are committed to increasing awareness about dyslexia throughout this month and beyond. To kickstart our journey, let's begin by unraveling the definition of dyslexia provided by the International Dyslexia Association.

If this definition seems a bit complex, don't worry; you're not alone. Let's break it down step by step.

1. Neurobiological Origin: Dyslexia is rooted in the way the brain processes information. Through advanced imaging techniques like fMRI, we can observe that the brain of a person with dyslexia functions differently during reading compared to someone without this difference.
   
2. Phonological Component: Dyslexia is primarily associated with difficulties in processing and storing the sound system (phonological aspects) of a language. It's crucial to understand that Dyslexia is not related to a person's vision or intelligence. 
   
3. Impact on Skills: The difficulties stemming from Dyslexia can have a significant impact on a person's spelling, reading abilities, and vocabulary. Additionally, they may face challenges in reading comprehension and may not accumulate the same reading experience as their peers, which can hinder the growth of their vocabulary and background knowledge.  These challenges are likely to persist even when a student receives typical instruction in the classroom.
   

For a more visual understanding of what dyslexia is, you might find this short video helpful.

Now, that's a lot of information to digest in one go, so let's take a moment to reflect. We understand that learning about Dyslexia can be overwhelming, especially when it relates to your child. However, there's an essential message we want to convey - there are interventions that work.  We know how to help and with the right interventions and accommodations Dyslexic learners can learn to read, shine in the classroom (and beyond), and share their superpowers!

​In closing, we'd like to share a touching poem written by an 8th grader who has been diagnosed with dyslexia. Her words resonate deeply, emphasizing the importance of patience, support, and the belief that every child has the potential to succeed, regardless of the challenges they face. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our children with dyslexia.

Throughout the month follow us here on the blog as well as on Instagram (@hyperionlanguageandlearning) and Facebook (@HyperionLLS) to learn more about what Dyslexia is, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, and how we as parents and educators can provide support and accommodations for children and adults with Dyslexia.
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