Understanding the essentials of adult dyslexia
Go Back to... Home » Health-articles »
You probably know that dyslexics have a hard time reading words out loud. This is because of a problem with short term memory and visual coordination. This disability makes it very difficult for patience to make the link between the written word and the spoken word.
It is important to realize that there are different degrees of this condition. Some people simply have mild difficulties with reading and writing. Others have a more serious condition in which a person may be completely illiterate and even find it very difficult to organize their lives.
One of the most frustrating parts of this disability is that patients can go on for a long time without being accurately diagnosed. Sometimes just knowing what the problem is can be comforting for the patient. Even though research still needs to be done, physicians are able to provide some help once they realize what the problem is.
There still needs to be much more research in order to fully understand dyslexia. Even so, many researchers now believe they have some understanding of this condition. Their theory states that there is a problem with a portion of the brain that deals with lexical information.
It is estimated that 4 to 10% of the population has this condition. Also, it is believed that the condition known as adult dyslexia is much more common in men than in women. It is difficult to know the exact number of people affected by this condition because most would be embarrassed to admit they have a problem.
If you think about how much of our daily life requires the written and spoken word, you can begin to understand how challenging dyslexia can be. A person who suffers from this condition may have trouble doing normal tasks like writing down notes or filling out a job application.
It's understandable why a person with adult dyslexia may be embarrassed. However, this embarrassment or frustration should not keep you from seeking appropriate help. Getting a diagnosis provides some clarity and hope, and it's the first step to improving your life.