Definitions

  • Dyslexia
  • Developmental Reading Disorder
  • Developmental Spelling Disorder
  • Dysphasia
  • Organizational Ability Disorder
  • Dysgraphia

    • Dyslexia

    A disorder of constitutional origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to read, write, or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and sociocultural opportunity.

    dys = (from Greek) poor, inadequate mastery of

    lexia = (from Greek) verbal language.

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    Developmental Reading Disorder

    Although "dyslexia" generally refers to a reading problem, the term also includes difficulty mastering other language areas.  For this reason, in this context, the term "Developmental Reading Disorder" is used to specifically refer to the process of reading.

    Challenges manifested in a Developmental Reading Disorder often include difficulty alphabetizing, difficulty with oral reading, and/or problems with reading comprehension (understanding). A reading disorder may also include difficulty hearing and applying letter sounds, or relying too much on letter sounds to decode unknown words.  An individual may exhibit any one or a combination of the problems described above.   Four different types of reading challenges include the following descriptions.
     

    Types of Dyslexia Areas of Strength Areas of Weakness
    Surface Dyslexia Phonics skills are very strong.  As long as words are phonetically regular, oral reading is good.   When confronted with irregular words, the child attempts to apply phonics.  Sight words are very difficult for this child.  Comprehension is weak.    
    Phonological Dyslexia Semantic clues (meaning clues) work well.  Oral reading is good only when reading from texts with familiar sight words and nouns.    Phonics skills do not work.  Other challenges include structure analysis, words that look similar (such as mitton and mutton), rhyming patterns and blending sounds.    
    Direct Dyslexia Both phonics and sight words are used well.  Oral reading is good.   Weaknesses for direct dyslexia include comprehension and general use of language.  
    Deep Dyslexia Excellent comprehension and use of context clues help this learner.    Problem areas include:  phonics, oral reading, derivational errors, visual confusion errors (ran and run), and semantic errors (father and dad).

     
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    Developmental Spelling Disorder

    Developmental spelling disorder is manifested by poor spelling both on tests and on daily written work. Often the child's written expression is good, although the mechanics of spelling and punctuation are lacking.
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    Dysphasia

    Dysphasia, a receptive and expressive language difficulty, is demonstrated by the learner who has difficulty understanding oral directions or instructions. This learner also has difficulty answering questions orally, or describing events clearly. Dysphasia is not pathological, but may improve with services from a speech therapist as well as from a dyslexia specialist.
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    Organization Disorder

    Organization Disorder describes the child who has difficulty organizing space, time, assignments, and possessions. The learner may be hyperactive and socially inappropriate, or withdrawn and spaced out.
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    Dysgraphia

    Dysgraphia, a handwriting disorder, is manifested by difficulty with the mechanics of handwriting. Dysgraphia does not necessarily imply lack of content in thinking and writing. The learner usually has wonderful ideas but experiences difficulty setting ideas down on paper.
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