Mr. Webb
Science Blog
Saturday February 23rd 2013
When someone hears the word dyslexia, what comes to mind is a problem with reading, but new research from Northwestern University shows that not only do dyslexic children struggle with reading but that it is harder for their brain to decode sounds. In an article from Science Daily (article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219172159.htm) Nina Kraus says, "We discovered a systematic relationship between reading ability and the consistency with which the brain encodes sounds." Though the study researchers have found that children with dyslexia have trouble decoding sounds they hear because their brain has trouble processing them. The students that were very strong readers could decode sound faster and more accurately than children that were dyslexic or not strung readers. The children with dyslexia had inconsistent coding of the sounds they heard. In a similiar article (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221140340.htm) Dr. Anne-Lise Giraud states that, "It is widely agreed that for a majority of dyslexic children, the main cause is related to a deficit in the processing of speech sounds." She conducted a study similiar to the one conducted at Northwestern University and ended up with the same conclusion.
Even though dyslexia is not a life threatening medical issue it is hard to live with and can make simple tasks challenging. This research could help doctors find a way to help children learn how to control their dyslexia and maybe even find a way to treat it. Dyslexia is currently not the biggest issue but finding a way to control it would make life easier for many children and adults that struggle with reading.
Image: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01545/childReading_1545929c.jpg

This is a very interesting study! I know someone with dyslexia and I have found that they do have a more difficult time interpreting sounds. Do you struggle with interpreting sounds as you age or do you grow out of it? Is this the case with all dyslexic people?
ReplyDeleteCaroline,it is very unfortunate that children with dyslexia are unable to process sounds. Is there any further research on how scientists are trying to work with children in order to overcome dyslexia? You mention how "very strong readers could decode sound faster and more accurately than children that were dyslexic or not strong readers." This is fascinating. Does this mean that children who are slower/weaker readers are more inclined to be dyslexic than stronger readers?
ReplyDeleteCaroline, this was so interesting to read. I loved reading this because this is a problem I have my self. I have slight dyslexia and an extreme auditory developing problems, which is exactly what you have described above as well as the topic of your article. It is great that attention is being driven to this specific learning disability. I was wondering if there had been any cases where students had no trouble with reading and only with auditory?
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