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Childhood Developmental Disorders

Dyslexia

Department of Health Child Assessment Service Developmental Disorders Series “Dyslexia”

I. What is Dyslexia? Dyslexia is one of the specific learning disabilities. Children with dyslexia have difficulties in word recognition, word reading and dictation. It is not caused by intellectual disabilities, sensory impairments, environmental factors or emotional problems. II. What are the symptoms of Dyslexia? Word recognition and reading: ● Fail to recognise and read characters or words. Make frequent errors in pronunciation despite repeated studies ● Mixing up of characters with similar shape, e.g. pronounce “毛”as “手” ● Mixing up of words with similar or related meaning, e.g. read “快樂”as“高興”, “秩序” as “規則” ● Slow in reading and sometimes may skip words or lines ● Becomes easily tired or may have headaches during reading

Writing to dictation: ● Fail to accurately recall simple words in dictation despite repeated study ● Wrong patterns in words, including addition or deletion of strokes, e.g. “春”as “ ”. Reversal of left-right stroke sequence, e.g. “世” as “ ” Reversal of left and right component of a character, e.g. “如” as “口女” ● Performance in unseen dictation is usually worse than dictation of memorised passages ● Characters written stroke by stroke slowly and in wrong sequence, due to weakness in word recognition * These common symptoms of dyslexia may not be all present in the same child III. What causes Dyslexia? Dyslexia is partly attributed to hereditary factors. The difference in development of certain brain processes affects the word processing function. Affected children therefore have difficulties in relating sound, shape and meaning of words.

IV. How does Dyslexia affect children? Academic Performance: Since children with dyslexia always fail in dictation and examinations, they gradually lose interest in study and learn with lower efficiency, leading to poorer academic results. Behaviour and Emotion: Most children with dyslexia dislike reading, writing and homework. To avoid failure, they try to evade these, or cover up their learning difficulties by behaving uncooperatively. Studies show that around 30% of children with dyslexia also have attention deficit disorder, and may be inattentive or daydream in class. Self image: They are often considered naughty or lazy before diagnosis, leading to low self-image and self- confidence. Family: Parents’ failure to understand or face the problem would affect parent-child relationship and increase the child’s psychological burden. Therefore, parents’ acceptance are important for helping these children express their feelings and overcome difficulties.

V. Where can parents seek help if their child is suspected to have Dyslexia? Child suspected of dyslexia Child suspected of various learning disabilities Initial suspicion Parent with initial suspicion: Discussion with teacher Initial observation by teacher: Contact with parent Initial identification Screening by teachers, including the use of the Hong Kong Specific Learning Difficulties Behaviour Checklist (for Primary School Students) Referrals by doctor in nearby clinic / Student Heath Service Further Assessment Regional Education Office, Education Bureau (EDB) : Confirmed as dyslexia Child Assessment Centres Other difficulties / problems Training and Treatment EDB will arrange remedial teaching or individualised support at school and offer parental education on supporting the child Eye-hand coordination problem ? Occupational therapy Emotional or attention problem ? Child psychiatry

VI. How can parents help their child with Dyslexia? Though dyslexia cannot be cured at present, counselling and effective teaching strategies can improve children’s learning. Early diagnosis and training After diagnosis, early training in reading, including recognition of Chinese words and radicals as well as English phonics can enhance children’s ability and minimise their resistance in word learning. Understand and face the problem Understanding of the condition can help parents set reasonable expectations for their children. With adequate knowledge and strategies, parents can work effectively with the school in supporting the child.

Contact with teachers Communication between parents and teachers can enhance parents’ understanding of their children’s progress. Through discussion, both parties can work together to come up with the most effective mode of learning. Create successful experience Identifying strengths and potentials of children can help them acquire successful experience and gain self-recognition. Experience sharing Sharing experience and establishing mutual support through parent self-help groups can help parents face the problem positively.

Enquiry Numbers and Related Websites Government Bureau / Department: Department of Health Child Assessment Service 2246 6633 www.dhcas.gov.hk Education Bureau 2891 0088 (24-Hour Hotline) www.edb.gov.hk Other Organisations: Hospital Authority 2300 6555 (General Enquiry) www.ha.org.hk Hong Kong Association for Specific Learning Disabilities 8200 5882 www.asld.org.hk Hong Kong Education City www.hkedcity.net Dyslexia Association (Hong Kong) www.dyslexia.org.hk Overseas: 中正大學：閱讀障礙 http://psy.ccu.edu.tw The International Dyslexia Association www.interdys.org LDOnLine www.ldonline.org The British Dyslexia Association www.bdadyslexia.org.uk The National Right to Read Foundation www.nrrf.org

 

 

 

 
     
 
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Last revision date: 02 October 2009