Dyslexia It's not easy having Dyslexia. Last week I went to a toga party as a goat. -- Unknown By Shahram Hassan

What is Dyslexia? Dyslexia is originally a Greek word which means “difficulty with words” Dyslexia is originally a Greek word which means “difficulty with words” Dr. Rob Hicks from BBC, defines Dyslexia as “a congenital and developmental condition that causes neurological anomalies in the brain. It includes a range of types of learning difficulties where a person of normal intelligence has persistent and significant problems with reading, writing, spelling and sometimes mathematics and musical notation.” Dr. Rob Hicks from BBC, defines Dyslexia as “a congenital and developmental condition that causes neurological anomalies in the brain. It includes a range of types of learning difficulties where a person of normal intelligence has persistent and significant problems with reading, writing, spelling and sometimes mathematics and musical notation.”

What is Dyslexia? The International Dyslexia Institute defines Dyslexia as: A specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and / or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge. A specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and / or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

A more informal explanation Imagine all your skills levels as a bar graph, everyone skills increase at a regular pace. But a dyslexic student reading and writing skill would increase at a slower pace compared to other skills, and to other people reading and writing skills. So even though a dyslexic student maybe be well accomplished in other fields, his/hers reading and writing skills would probably be lower than everyone else

Why is This important for Tutors? Dyslexic students would turn to peer tutoring for help rather than from the instructors, which would seem intimidating. Dyslexic students would turn to peer tutoring for help rather than from the instructors, which would seem intimidating. Some people with dyslexia may have not been diagnosed with it and might be unaware of their disability. Some people with dyslexia may have not been diagnosed with it and might be unaware of their disability. One in five children in the United States are dyslexic so chances are you might meet a dyslexic student. One in five children in the United States are dyslexic so chances are you might meet a dyslexic student.

Common Signs of Dyslexia for College Students May read very slowly with many inaccuracies. May read very slowly with many inaccuracies.  Continues to spell incorrectly, frequently spells the same word differently in a single piece of writing. May avoid reading and writing tasks. May avoid reading and writing tasks. May have trouble summarizing and outlining. May have trouble summarizing and outlining.

Continued… May have trouble answering open-ended questions on tests. May have trouble answering open-ended questions on tests. May have difficulty learning a foreign language May have difficulty learning a foreign language May have an inadequate vocabulary. May have an inadequate vocabulary. May confuse similar words such as “b” and “d” or “p” and “q”. May confuse similar words such as “b” and “d” or “p” and “q”.

Common Signs of Dyslexia for Adults May hide reading problems May hide reading problems May spell poorly; relies on others to correct spelling. May spell poorly; relies on others to correct spelling. Avoids writing; may not be able to write. Avoids writing; may not be able to write. Often very competent in oral language. Often very competent in oral language. Relies on memory; may have an excellent memory. Relies on memory; may have an excellent memory.

Example Of Dyslexic Writing

Other Characteristic of People with Dyslexia Innovative thinking Innovative thinking Excellent troubleshooting Excellent troubleshooting Creativity Creativity Lateral Thinking Lateral Thinking Intuitive Problem Solving Intuitive Problem Solving

Famous People Who Are Dyslexic

Facilities on De Anza for dyslexic students The Educational Diagnostic Center is geared to help students with learning disabilities, like dyslexia. The Educational Diagnostic Center is geared to help students with learning disabilities, like dyslexia. The EDC has specifically trained professionals, such as tutors, to help students with learning disabilities The EDC has specifically trained professionals, such as tutors, to help students with learning disabilities

Educational Diagnostic Center (EDC) Located on the De Anza campus, Learning Center West Room 110. Located on the De Anza campus, Learning Center West Room 110. Provides testing to determines different disabilities. Provides testing to determines different disabilities. Specialized tutoring and Examination accommodation. Specialized tutoring and Examination accommodation. Provides registration assistance. Provides registration assistance.

What if Your Tutee is Dyslexic? If you feel that your tutee maybe dyslexic it would be best to talk to their instructor and give reasons for your assumption, and see if the instructor agrees with you. Then tell the instructor about the EDC and they may be able to diagnose what learning disability your tutee may have. Dyslexia is a very frustrating disability especially if you don’t know you have it, so what ever you can do to help will be greatly appreciated.

The End The British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation The International Dyslexia association The International Dyslexia association British Dyslexia Association British Dyslexia Association Educational Diagnostic Center Website Educational Diagnostic Center Website