Dyslexia is a common learning disability that affects people of all ages, from very young children to adults. It is usually characterized by difficulties in reading and/or writing. The causes of dyslexia are not precisely known in all cases, but in some of types of dyslexia it is possible pinpoint the cause. Whatever the cause or symptoms, there are things that can be done to help the person affected to manage this learning disability effectively.

There are three primary types of dyslexia: trauma dyslexia, developmental dyslexia, and primary dyslexia.

Trauma Dyslexia

This type of dyslexia is typically brought on by a traumatic brain injury, such as in a bad fall or a car accident wherein the part of the brain that controls one’s ability to read and write is damaged. This is most often seen in adults.

Primary Dyslexia

Primary dyslexia isn’t cause by an injury or trauma, but rather as a result of the dysfunction of the cerebral cortex in the brain. This type of dyslexia is believed to be hereditary and is common among left-handed people. More often this type of dyslexia is seen I boys than girls, and it does not typically change in degree over time. Most patients who have primary dyslexia read at a lower elementary school level and will continue to struggle with reading and writing throughout their lives.

Developmental Dyslexia

This type of dyslexia is believed to be caused by atypical hormonal development in the early stages of fetal development. People with this type of dyslexia typically have fewer symptoms as they get older.

In addition to these three main categories, there are subsets of dyslexia that are designated based on the types of skills with which the person is struggling. For example, those who live with visual dyslexia may struggle to write numbers, letters, words, etc. in the proper format and order. When reading, they may read words backwards or in the wrong order within a sentence.  By contrast, those with auditory dyslexia may struggle with the individual sounds of letters and therefore will typically mispronounce letters or words. They do not hear the sound of the words in the same way that a person without dyslexia would. In some cases, auditory dyslexia is brought on by hearing problems that start I early childhood that may hamper the child’s ability to correctly hear the pronunciation of words, although this is not always the case.

As you can see, the cause of dyslexia depends on the type of dyslexia symptoms one is experiencing. Add to that the fact that many people suffer from many different symptoms at once, and it’s easy to see why pinpointing the causes if dyslexia can be very difficult. If you suspect that you or your child may have dyslexia, contact your doctor today for further assessment. For more information about dyslexia and the options that may be available to you, visit CPD Bytes.

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