Dyslexia

Dyslexia: Do We Know as Much as We Should?

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty, mainly hereditary, that affects a large portion of the population. Just consider that all dyslexic individuals in Greece could form the third largest city in the country. However, this condition remains relatively unknown to many—both those who have it and those who don’t.

Like all hereditary issues, dyslexia is present from birth but usually becomes evident during school years. The main symptoms include excessive difficulty in reading and spelling, and in some cases, challenges with spoken language. It is often accompanied by attention deficit and is not related to intellectual disability. In fact, dyslexic individuals often have stronger visual-spatial perception, which leads many to excel in fields such as architecture, painting, and more. Notable inventors and artists of our time had dyslexia, with Einstein being a classic example. This uniqueness is attributed to differences in brain structure, according to recent research.

The foundation for effectively addressing dyslexia lies in early and accurate diagnosis. Families, schools, and the state must be sensitized to the issue, not only to address the difficulties faced by dyslexic individuals but also to help them make the most of their unique talents.

Is My Child Dyslexic?

As mentioned in a previous article, the earlier dyslexia is detected, the easier it is to address, especially given the plasticity of a young brain. But how can parents spot the signs?

In infancy and early childhood, these children may show signs of hyperactivity and intense curiosity, often accompanied by delayed speech development. They may struggle with sequential movements, such as tying shoelaces or getting dressed. Games that require coordination (e.g., jump rope, football headers) and rhythmic activities (e.g., dancing, marching, singing) are often challenging. They may also face orientation and memory difficulties—struggling to learn left from right, sequence the days of the week or months, or remember directions. Memorizing poems and songs can be particularly painful.

At school, the difficulties become more obvious. Reading is slow and laborious, often monotone, and lacks voice modulation. The child may struggle to recognize words, even those they’ve written themselves. They might shorten words, substitute long ones with simpler alternatives, or omit connecting words.

Spelling is also problematic, with frequent errors, letter reversals (e.g., e-3, p-q), and missing accents or punctuation. They usually write slowly—about 40% slower than their non-dyslexic peers. Memorizing theoretical subjects such as history or geography is equally challenging.

Social Characteristics of Dyslexic Children

Dyslexic children often display common behavioral traits. They may be hyperactive, impatient, interruptive, and easily lose interest. They are dreamy, distracted, and may not listen to others during conversation.

Due to a lack of understanding from their surroundings, these children often develop insecurity and low self-esteem. They’re criticized for being inattentive or underachieving, rarely receiving recognition for their talents.

Causes of Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a brain-based condition linked to structural differences in the brain. The right hemisphere is more developed than the left, leading to strengths in imagination, creativity, and simultaneous data processing, but weaknesses in memory, reading, and sequential processing.

This anomaly is also linked to their unique eye movement—quick, darting movements trying to absorb all surrounding stimuli. This overload contributes to their learning difficulties but also supports their strong visual-spatial skills.

Are Dyslexics Gifted?

Their strengths in visual-spatial reasoning and the advanced development of the right hemisphere underpin their inventiveness and artistic abilities. Einstein, Edison, and many others in architecture, decoration, painting, and electronics have had dyslexia. There’s no reason future stars in these fields shouldn’t be among today's dyslexic children.

How Can Dyslexia Be Addressed?

Effective management starts with early diagnosis by a qualified specialist—especially since state-run early screenings are still lacking. Once diagnosed, the child and parents are informed about the learning difficulty, and tailored psychological and educational interventions are proposed. Often, the same specialist offers supportive lessons.

Parental involvement is crucial. They must follow professional advice and support their child with patience and understanding. It’s often hard for parents to accept that their smart child struggles with basic reading and writing. Boosting self-esteem is key, and this is best achieved by helping children recognize and develop their unique talents.

Teachers, too, must focus on building confidence and encouraging dyslexic students. Personalized learning and small class sizes can make a big difference. Specially trained educators and additional professional support can further improve learning conditions.

The state is slowly stepping up—university departments for special education are being created, and legislation supports diagnostic centers and oral exams for dyslexic students. Research funding is also increasing.

Still, raising awareness is vital. Better understanding among parents, educators, and the public will improve social integration for dyslexics. Education and accessible diagnostic centers providing free services are essential steps forward.

Dyslexia is a lifelong challenge, but early diagnosis can lead to significant improvement. Recognizing and nurturing the talents often hidden beneath learning difficulties is essential—for the individual and for society. Perhaps we should shift focus from simply identifying dyslexia to identifying the *gifts* of dyslexia.

By Vicky Tsiaousi

For "Chronika Dramas", 1998