Causes and risk factors
It is an inherited disorder. It is related to genes that control development of brain. Certain changes in development of brain leads to this condition. The part of brain which is affected is concerned with language skills, speech, and ability to convert written language into speech.
Clinical presentation
The preschool child presents with late talking, difficult learning words, difficult learning poems or rhymes. The school child shows symptoms like slow and inaccurate reading, not being able to recognize words that rhyme, difficulty in interpreting even simple sentences, making spelling mistakes, illegible [unreadable] handwriting, skipping words or entire lines while reading, difficulty in learning a new language. The child is unable to understand and comprehend rapid instructions. Dyslexia sometimes can remain undiagnosed until adulthood. Symptoms in teens and adulthood include difficult memorising, difficult summarising, lack of time management, difficulty in solving math sums. The important feature of dyslexia is that intelligence of child is unaltered. It is precipitated in the form of highly skilful other activities such as painting, music etc. They are very creative, intuitive, and excel at 3 dimensional problem solving and hands on learning. He is not only skilful in one of such activities but acquires mastery over it.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and psychological evaluation by the psychiatrist or psychotherapist helps in diagnosis. A reading test is recommended.
Treatment
Main treatment consists of Psychotherapy and counselling which involves cognitive behavioural therapy that teaches different techniques to combat the problem. Individual and family therapy, parent child interaction techniques, parent training, social involvement, spending quality time with your children will also help in managing dyslexia. Speech therapy is useful to correct speech defects. There are support groups for families that help reduce their isolation and frustration. Private tuition is necessary and proves very useful. Special learning assistance must be offered to the child. Constant positive reinforcement helps to improve the patient’s self-esteem. Boosting and encouraging the child to develop his skills in which he is efficient will also help in managing dyslexia.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating dyslexia. Bach flower therapy gives very good results in treatment. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating dyslexia.
