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What dyslexia feels like?


Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words. Also called reading disability, dyslexia affects areas of the brain that process language. People with dyslexia have trouble matching letters to sounds, such as not knowing that the letter b represents the /b/ sound.

Dyslexia may run in families. It’s identified in some people early in their lives, but for others, it goes unidentified into adulthood. Signs that a person may have dyslexia include difficulty reading, poor spelling, slow reading speed, and trouble learning a foreign language.

So what does it feel like to have dyslexia? Here is an overview of some of the challenges and experiences people with dyslexia commonly face.

Difficulty reading and spelling

One of the hallmark signs of dyslexia is difficulty learning to read, though the degree of difficulty varies. For some, reading is a huge challenge and struggle. Some describe it as always feeling like a beginner reader, having to slowly sound out words. For others, reading feels manageable but requires a lot of effort and concentration.

Spelling is also very challenging for people with dyslexia. The English language has complex, inconsistent spelling patterns that are especially hard to memorize for those with dyslexia. People with dyslexia frequently misspell words or struggle to remember the proper spelling of common words.

Problems with processing speed

Many people with dyslexia have challenges with processing speed – how long it takes to understand information. Reading, writing, following instructions, taking notes, and other tasks often feel very slow and laborious compared to peers. A simple task like reading a short paragraph could take significantly longer for someone with dyslexia.

This slow processing speed is tiring and frustrating. People with dyslexia often know they understand material just as well as peers but need more time to demonstrate their knowledge. Timed reading tests, taking notes during lectures, and other speeded academic tasks are very difficult.

Trouble with reading comprehension

Due to the effort and concentration required for decoding words, some people with dyslexia struggle with reading comprehension. So much mental energy goes towards sounding out words that it leaves less brain power for understanding meaning.

Reading comprehension challenges mean that people with dyslexia may read a passage over and over again but have trouble grasping the main ideas. Following complex plots in books and remembering characters are difficult. Standardized reading tests are frequently a major hurdle.

Problems remembering letter sequences

A hallmark of dyslexia is trouble remembering letter sequences in words and the proper order of letters. For example, consistently reversing letters like reading or writing “makr” instead of “mark.” Transposing letter order frequently leads to misspelled words.

Letter and number reversals can make reading, writing, notetaking, and math calculation slow and prone to mistakes. People with dyslexia need to put in extra time and effort to memorize word spellings and letter order.

Difficulty learning a foreign language

Learning a foreign language is notoriously difficult for those with dyslexia. Foreign languages require learning new speech sounds and correlating those sounds to letters or characters. People with dyslexia struggle to make these letter-sound connections in their native language, let alone a new language.

Memorizing vocabulary words, grammar rules, and proper sentence structure in a foreign language is also very challenging for those with dyslexia. Since dyslexia makes rote memorization more difficult, learning the basics of a foreign language requires significantly more time and effort.

Problems memorizing facts and numbers

Dyslexia can impair rote memory skills like memorizing math facts, historical dates, chemical elements, grammar rules, and other factual information. People with dyslexia often rely on hands-on learning and conceptual understanding to compensate for poor memorization abilities.

For example, memorizing multiplication tables usually requires brute repetition. But those with dyslexia may invent strategies to understand the conceptual patterns behind the math facts. Rote memorization takes substantially more time and effort for those with dyslexia.

Difficulty learning names of people or objects

A common symptom of dyslexia is difficulty attaching names to faces, objects, places, etc. The brain pathways used for rote learning seem to be impaired in those with dyslexia. People with dyslexia often confuse similar names or words.

For example, remembering the names of classmates or coworkers takes more conscious effort. Keeping track of the names of story characters in a book also requires extra work. Using mnemonic devices or other memory tricks can help compensate for this weakness.

Problems organizing written work

Dyslexia can make organizing thoughts on paper very difficult. Keeping ideas ordered and sequenced in paragraphs requires strong executive functioning skills. But impairments in working memory and planning make structuring a logical, coherent essay more challenging for those with dyslexia.

Brainstorming ideas, constructing an outline, revising drafts – these planning steps do not come naturally. People with dyslexia often have to expend great mental effort to write and structure papers for school or work. Writing skills frequently lag behind verbal skills.

Trouble staying focused when reading

Some people with dyslexia get distracted easily while reading and lose focus on the text in front of them. Staying concentrated during reading requires sustained mental effort. If reading feels laborious, attention may drift and re-reading the same content becomes necessary.

Jumping from thought to thought makes reading comprehension more difficult. Finding ways to enhance focus such as minimizing distractions, using a finger to track words, or reading out loud can help with staying on task. Taking breaks often helps sustain concentration.

Problems processing and following multi-step oral directions

Following multi-step spoken instructions is difficult for those with dyslexia. Processing language-based information from auditory channels may take more time. Holding several steps in mind while listening taxes short-term memory.

People with dyslexia frequently need oral instructions repeated. Following directions like recipes, class instructions, driving directions, and work procedures often requires extra time and effort. Having written steps handy helps reinforce multi-step tasks.

Difficulty learning rhymes, poems, and song lyrics

Memorizing rhymes, song lyrics, poetry lines, and dialogue from plays is quite difficult for those with dyslexia. Since language-based learning is innately harder, reciting rhymes or remembering lines does not come easily without intense repetition.

Acting in plays often requires extra rehearsal time to cement lines in long-term memory. Song lyrics need to be read and rehearsed repeatedly before they stick. Rhyming word puzzles and other phonetic language games also pose challenges.

Problems learning math concepts and doing mental math

In addition to memorizing math facts, people with dyslexia often struggle learning mathematical concepts. Solving word problems, understanding sequences, seeing patterns, and grasping abstract concepts require strong reading comprehension skills.

Mental math like quickly calculating change in your head also poses challenges because it involves manipulating numbers in working memory. Estimation skills are frequently weak for people with dyslexia too. Math tests with time pressures are anxiety-inducing.

Messy handwriting and fine motor challenges

Many people with dyslexia have sloppy, slow, laborious handwriting. Fine motor deficits lead to poor penmanship. Letters and words vary wildly in size, slant at odd angles, have inconsistent spacing, and run together sloppily. Copying information neatly from a book or board is painful and tiring.

Taking notes during lectures feels rushed and results in messy writing. Hand cramps and muscle stiffness are common after extended periods of handwriting. Keyboarding or other assistive writing tools help compensate for handwriting challenges.

Mispronouncing names of people and places

Due to underlying phonological impairments, people with dyslexia often mispronounce words – a source of social stress and embarrassment. Specific letter combinations trip up dyslexic readers. For example, consistently saying “aminal” instead of “animal.”

Mispronouncing names of classmates, coworkers, characters, foreign words, and places is common. People with dyslexia need to mentally sound out words before speaking them aloud, which feels unnatural and takes extra effort. Advance rehearsal helps prevent blunders.

Hiding reading problems out of embarrassment

Many people with undiagnosed dyslexia instinctively hide their struggles with reading out of shame and embarrassment. Passing as a competent reader becomes important for self-esteem. Avoiding being called upon to read aloud in front of the class or coworkers is critical.

Admitting reading difficulties feels like a shameful flaw. People with dyslexia often become masters at bluffing their way through situations that require reading – from pretending to follow along in books to barely scraping by in English class. Seeking support can be scary.

Anxiety, frustration, and low self-esteem

Dyslexia often damages self-confidence and causes anxiety. Despite normal (or above average) intelligence, people with dyslexia grapple with much harder work than peers in reading and writing tasks. Feeling “dumb” frequently occurs, especially before diagnosis.

Anxiety spikes in situations that require reading aloud, taking notes, or finishing timed tests. Fear of failing classes or falling behind peers causes constant stress. Workplace stigma around reading problems also frequently causes anxiety in adults with undiagnosed dyslexia.

Reliance on accommodations and assistive technology

People with dyslexia commonly utilize various accommodations in school, at work, or in daily life to manage their challenges:

  • Text-to-speech software that reads aloud digital text
  • Audiobooks and reading assistance apps
  • Speech-to-text tools to dictate writing
  • Permission to type notes or assignments
  • Extra time on tests and assignments
  • Audio recordings to supplement lectures
  • Navigational apps like Google Maps that provide audio directions

While dyslexia is a lifelong condition, assistive technology and accommodations allow people with dyslexia to demonstrate their strengths and abilities. With the right support, those with dyslexia can achieve success in school and careers.

Strengths and abilities of people with dyslexia

While challenges exist, it’s important to note the strengths many people with dyslexia develop:

  • Strong verbal reasoning, vocabulary, and listening skills
  • Big picture, out-of-the-box thinking and reasoning
  • Strong spatial relations and visual-spatial skills
  • Excellence in hands-on fields like engineering, construction, and design
  • Ability to grasp concepts and understand ideas behind facts
  • Advanced problem-solving skills
  • Creativity and excelling at new ideas

When their strengths are utilized, people with dyslexia can thrive academically and professionally. Challenges with phonics and reading do not reflect overall intellect or abilities. With the proper supports, those with dyslexia are just as capable of success.

Conclusion

Dyslexia causes reading and writing struggles due to problems processing letter-sound connections in language. But its challenges are manageable with accommodation and assistive technology. Dyslexia is not indicative of poor intelligence or ability. In fact, many people with dyslexia possess special talents and strengths in reasoning, spatial skills, and creative thinking. With the proper help and self-advocacy skills, those with dyslexia can achieve success in school and careers. Increased awareness and support will allow more people with dyslexia to highlight their abilities, not just their weaknesses.