This Article  • PDF  • Spanish PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Related article  • Similar articles in JAMA  Topic Collections  • Pediatrics  • Child Development  • JAMA Patient Page  • Alert me on articles by topic  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

As many as 15% of school-aged children have a learning disability. One of those learning disabilities is reading disorder, also known as dyslexia. In this disorder, reading achievement is substantially below what would be expected for the person's age, intelligence, and educational level. Many areas of the brain are involved in reading. Abnormalities in processing in these brain areas are associated with having dyslexia. It appears that persons who have dyslexia have difficulty processing sound-based components of language. They have difficulty associating symbols (such as letters) with the sounds that these symbols have.

Dyslexia does not affect thinking ability. Persons who have dyslexia are often creative in learning to compensate for their disability.

Reading difficulties may also arise from poor vision, decreased hearing ability, emotional problems, or behavioral disorders. Behavioral disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may also coexist with learning disorders.

The April 28, 2004, issue of JAMA includes an article showing that reading difficulties are more common in boys than in girls.

TESTS FOR READING DIFFICULTY
Testing for dyslexia should be performed only by trained individuals. These specialists may be available through the school or from the community or a university-based program. Formal testing for dyslexia includes assessment of intellectual (thinking) abilities, information processing, and academic skills. Children may also receive evaluation of their sensory capabilities, such as hearing or vision testing.

HELP FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES

Early identification of learning disabilities can help children to achieve success in learning environments. Some strategies that can help individuals with reading disorder include

• Approaches to teaching that include audio-based instruction (audiotapes, audio texts), computer-assisted instruction, structured teaching including repetition and small-unit instruction, flashcards, and optimum position of the child in the classroom.
  
• Identification, evaluation, and treatment of behavioral or psychiatric problems that can coexist with learning disabilities.
  
• Alternative assessment measures (using different types of testing than traditional written tests).
  
• Assistance with emotional issues (such as self-esteem) that may accompany learning disabilities.
  
• Special education, if needed, though some experts advocate keeping children with dyslexia in the regular classroom.
  
• A strong support system for the child and family, possibly including referral to appropriate resources within the community.
  

Janet M. Torpy, MD, Writer; Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor

JAMA. 2004;291:2040.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

RELATED ARTICLE

Sex Differences in Developmental Reading Disability: New Findings From 4 Epidemiological Studies
Michael Rutter, Avshalom Caspi, David Fergusson, L. John Horwood, Robert Goodman, Barbara Maughan, Terrie E. Moffitt, Howard Meltzer, and Julia Carroll
JAMA. 2004;291(16):2007-2012.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT