Dyslexia Research Paper Example
Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder and maybe a lot more common than people think. It is not well understood because there are many different definitions for the disease (Mayo Clinic Staff). Although many people might think it is not very common, it affects ten percent of the American population and up to one and five boys (Landau [1991] 31).
As humans have started looking into dyslexia, they have realized that often it is, in fact, a combination of multiple diseases. Many times dyslexia has been wrongly marked as mentally disabled, or as ADHD (33). Although dyslexia is a learning disorder, it affects many other things too. It leads to a lot of social problems in children, making them feel like they are less intelligent, leading to a lack of confidence (Mayo Clinic Staff). In some cases, it is hard for people to tell the difference between left or right due to a lack of coordination (Landau [1991] 16).
Since dyslexia is the leading cause of illiteracy, there are some symptoms and problems that the disease causes, making it harder to read (Mullig). When taking MRI scans of patients with the disease, doctors noticed that there are unusual nerve cells on the left side of the brain where reading and speech are located (Mayo Clinic Staff). Therefore, many children with dyslexia have problems learning new words, reading out loud, and many dyslexics have said it is like trying to read a book from a mirror. Many dyslexics also have hard times rhyming and understanding jokes, adding to the list of social problems (Landau [1991] 20). Consequently, this leads to many children with dyslexia trying very hard in school, or acting indifferently while abandoning their efforts (28).
At the same time, there are many ways to help people with dyslexia. Although there are currently no cures, there are many techniques that can improve symptoms. For example, many schools have special classes, personal teachers, or a different setting for people with dyslexia. In many schools, children are in smaller classes where they can learn without feeling self-conscious or scared. Luckily, the earlier dyslexia is diagnosed, there is better assistance that can be provided(Mullig). Often, when the disease is diagnosed when the child is young, they can grasp strategies on learning, and reading that will help them (Landau [1991] 14). Additionally, mild cases of dyslexia can be compensated solo, with the child teaching themselves how to navigate the setbacks (Mullig).
Although dyslexia is a generally genetic disease, some cases prove it can be caused by exposure to drugs and premature birth (Mayo Clinic Staff). While the mother is pregnant, she might take a certain drug that hurts the baby. The other way a newborn might have dyslexia is if there are pregnancy problems and the baby has low birth weight and is born in an early pregnancy (Mayo Clinic Staff). The main reason, however, is family traits and being passed down. Around up to eighty percent of the general disease comes from the genetics of the children's parents and is being passed down (Mayo Clinic Staff). Furthermore, since it is a genetic disease and one people are born with, therefore you are not able to contract it (“Beating Dyslexia”).
Although many may think that famous figures are not affected by dyslexia, Tim Tebow, a star Nation Football Association quarterback, was diagnosed with dyslexia and had many of the same struggles. When seven-year-old Tebow began to struggle with reading and learning new words, his mom decided to take him to the doctor. He ended up having dyslexia, but instead of it being a setback, it just made him work harder. Tim Tebow’s father had the disease, and later it was found out that his older brother also had it, too (“Beating Dyslexia”).
Although now people see Tim Tebow playing football, on television, or giving speeches, he is still a person and he still faced many of the same hardships people have nowadays. For religious purposes, the Tebow family decided to homeschool their five children (Savage 17). The disease did affect his reading and writing and made him work harder. He had to work for long hours after his brothers and sisters had finished their school for the day, and he found himself slightly dejected (Costello).
