Understanding Dyslexia and Neurodiversity

Simulation of Dyslexia

• Experience of decoding words is slow and laborious
• Dyslexia causes this experience every time for affected individuals

Myths and Facts about Dyslexia

• Common myth: Dyslexia involves seeing letters and words backwards (e.g., 'b' as 'd')
• Reality: People with dyslexia see things the same way as everyone else
• Root cause: Phonological processing problem, not a visual issue

Examples of Phonological Processing Challenges

• Difficulty manipulating language sounds (e.g., removing 'c' from 'cat')
• Breaking down words into parts to read them (e.g., 'fantastic' into 'fan', 'tas', 'tic')
• Time spent decoding hampers comprehension and keeping up with peers
• Common phonetic spelling errors (e.g., 's-t-i-k' for 'stick', 'f-r-e-n-s' for 'friends')

Prevalence and Range of Dyslexia

• Affects up to 1 in 5 people
• Exists on a continuum from mild to profound
• Dyslexia often runs in families

Neurodiversity and Dyslexia

• Principle: Brains show differences in structure and function
• Important not to label neurodiversity as a disorder or defect
• Notable individuals with dyslexia include Picasso, Muhammad Ali, Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Spielberg, Cher
• Capacity for brilliance and success in life despite dyslexia

How Dyslexic Brains Process Language

• Brain hemispheres: left for language and reading, right for spatial activities
• fMRI studies: Dyslexic brains rely more on the right hemisphere and frontal lobe
• Longer processing trip through the brain, delayed in the frontal lobe
• Neurobiological variation causes reading difficulties

Intervention for Dyslexia

• Intensive, multi-sensory intervention can improve reading
• Teaches decoding based on syllable types and spelling rules
• Shifts reading processes to the left hemisphere for better efficiency
• Recognizes dyslexia as a functional brain variation

Embracing Neurodiversity

• Spectrum of brain function exists in all humans
• To understand others, consider both their perspectives and brain functions