Reading Difficulties

-By Miss Kirti

What is reading difficulties?

 

Reading difficulties refers to as dyslexia is a learning disorder of individual differences in areas of the brain that process language.

It involves significant impairment of reading accuracy, speed, or comprehension to the extent that the impairment interferes with academic achievement or activities of daily life. People with reading disorder perform reading tasks well below the level one would expect on the basis of their general intelligence, educational opportunities.

 

Common characteristics of person with reading disorder:

1. Difficulty identifying single words

2. Problems understanding the sounds in words, sound order, or rhyme

3. Problems with spelling

4. Transposing letters in words

5. Omitting or substituting words

6. Poor reading comprehension

7. Slow reading speed (oral or silent)

 

Common problems in people with reading disorder include:

1. Slow reading speed

2. Poor comprehension when reading material either aloud or silently

3. Omission of words while reading

4. Reversal of words or letters while reading

5. Difficulty decoding syllables or single words and associating them with specific sounds (phonics)

6. Limited sight word vocabulary

 

ASSESSMENT

Younger children are tested on prereading skills (e.g., letter naming), whereas high school students are tested on study skills and use of reference materials. These tests are considered screening tests, not diagnostic instruments, and are designed to identify children who need further evaluation.  The educator records any mistakes that the student makes and analyzes them to determine what instruction is needed. Students with disabilities who are receiving special education services have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as per the age, educational opportunities and intelligence.