Definition & Symptomatology of Dyslexia

Description of the Normal Reading Process

Reading is the perception of written symbols as meaningful, involving recognition of words, fluency, comprehension, etc. It is generally assumed that a reading capability (potentiality) exists in the intellectually normal person when reading readiness has been attained, i.e. when the child has matured sufficiently and has sufficient experience for reading to begin--given the relevant instruction and learning motivation. Developmental factors usually considered are mental age, language, interests, and pre-reading skills as well as home background. Attempts have been made to assess reading readiness with readiness tests {Terry, J.;Thomas, W.N. 1977}. Term is more sensibly used if one thinks of reading readiness as readiness for specific reading activities (p.99). Reading instruction methodology varies with language, culture, country, educational system and policy. In Austria, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland,

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ven clear whether all these disorders are intrinsic to the child. Rispens {Rispens 1982} wondered: "A reading disorder is traditionally seen as a condition within the child... But what about the influence of extraneous factors such as reading instruction?" (p.177). And the very phonological, syntactical, and visual distances between the script and sounds of the language? Is it strange, in this perspective, that English children top the Japanese, Italians, Spaniards, or Malay--to cite but a few--in having reading problems? Learners of English as a second language have no end of difficulties in remembering how (and why!) to pronounce saw, sew, sow, sow, so (Even as English-speaking natives are notorious poor spellers). Many a teacher or social worker believes that a high proportion of juvenile delinquents are dyslexic. Indeed, as one of them puts it {Sternig-Babcock 1987}, "There is clear evidence to suggest... that JD populations contain a high proportion of low achievers. Delinquents have been shown to have lower academic achievement and poorer social, verbal, and perceptual skills than their non-delinquent peers. Further, learning disabilities may account for a portion of these achievement problems" (p.17). Certain investi
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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