Dyslexia is a neurological disorder in which the brain seems to be unable to properly interpret the signals it gets from the eyes and ears. Dyslexia usually shows itself by way of difficulties in reading, spelling and converting common words into sounds. It is a widespread condition with as much as 10% of the population having to deal with some form of dyslexia.
In recent times we have learned a great deal about dyslexia, especially in the last 15 years or so. Dyslexia in children is now routinely screened for and detected in elementary school and before. We now know that children with dyslexia learn differently and need special training to overcome the difficulties they might otherwise experience.
Those of us who finished grade school more than 15 years ago had a rougher go of it. Most dyslexics got branded as “slow learners” or “underachievers” and were stygmatized by this type of label. They felt shame and embarrassment and developed elaborate defense mechanisms to hide the fact that they were different.
It is estimated that some 95% of adult dyslexics remain unaware of their condition. A simple readily available dyslexia test could identify them and set them on the road to overcoming their dyslexia problem(s).
Dyslexia symptoms in adults include problems with reading, a reluctance to read anything aloud, difficulties in transcribing messages received by phone and being employed in positions below what their intelligence and experience would seem to warrant, these, among a longish list of other related symptoms.
Most of what has been learned about dyslexia comes from clinical studies, focussing on the problems of dyslexia. However, there is also a positive side to dyslexia. Dyslexic people seem to learn to think in different ways from non-dyslexics. They learn to visualize the whole picture rather than the details of the parts. Many excel in fields where this is important, fields such as architecture, graphic arts, acting and business.
This happening is so common and the trend is so pronounced that such people are said to be “blessed with dyslexia”! There are many, many famous people with dyslexia. Notable and famous dyslexics include Jay Leno, talk show host and comedian, Anthony Hopkins, actor, Anderson Cooper, American journalist and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.
If you, or anyone you know, has any symptoms that might indicate dyslexia, by all means get tested at once. A competent, detailed test is available online, takes half an hour, can be taken from anywhere you have an Internet connection and costs less than dinner for two at a medium-priced restaurant!
Disclaimer: This posting is based on information freely available in the popular press and medical journals that deal with dyslexia. Nothing herein is intended to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice the reader should consult with his or her physician or other medical specialist.