Dyslexia Interventions

Shaywitz SE, Shaywitz BA: Dyslexia (specific reading disability). Pediatr Rev 2003; 24(5):147-152.

Dyslexia (specific reading disability) is a persistent, chronic condition found in 5% to 17% of school-age children and many unidentified adults. Dyslexia is defined as "an unexpected difficulty in reading in children and adults who otherwise possess the intelligence and motivation considered necessary for accurate and fluent reading."

This article reviews epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of dyslexia, plus how to assess reading skills and how to treat a reading disorder. Effective interventions require a long-term perspective. Teaching phonics, programs to improve phonemic awareness, and guided repeated oral reading can help the struggling reader. Classroom accommodations help as well. Extra time, use of laptop computers, spell checkers, tape recorders, recorded books, access to syllabi and lecture notes, a quiet room, and use of tutors can assist the reader. Many prominent and successful people have dyslexia, and young students need to be counseled that they are bright and have a unique way of reading.