Dyslexia is a learning disorder that interferes with a child’s ability to process letters, words, and symbols. It is often referred to as a reading disability, but dyslexia affects the area of the brain that processes both written and verbal language. Dyslexia typically appears in children, although it may not be diagnosed until years later. In some instances, the diagnosis doesn’t occur until adulthood. Although there is no cure for dyslexia, people can experience a successful life through specialized training. Venture Academy provides a compassionate dyslexia treatment program. Our team has found that the earlier the assessment, the better the outcomes for the teen.
Academic Concerns
Teens with dyslexia have difficulty reading, spelling, and mispronunciation of words. Common academic issues that arise for teens with dyslexia include:
- Slow reading – Dyslexic readers are extremely slow readers who can struggle for minutes over a single world.
- Problems spelling – Because they have difficulty seeing words on a page, teens with this learning disability typically have problems spelling. They have no construct to draw to help indicate if a word is or is not spelled correctly.
- Reading avoidance – A significant portion of education involves reading. Dyslexia makes the learning process far more difficult. Many students avoid classes or activities that require even a little reading because the experience is too frustrating to be enjoyable.
- Mispronunciation – The connection between the words on the page and their pronunciation does not exist in some people with dyslexia. Without a direct correlation between the word and its sounds, mispronunciation can occur.
- Incorrect word usage – We’ve all had moments when we could not recall a specific word. For dyslexic people, this happens multiple times each day. The brain cannot retrieve the word that the individual is thinking.
Many of these issues result in behavioural problems in school and social situations. As teens mature, they may have difficulty with social interaction at work and in the community.
Social Concerns
Dyslexic teens may have trouble fitting in with their peers. They don’t pick up on nonverbal social cues, making for awkward situations. Also, they may speak slowly because they can’t find the right words. In today’s digital world, texting becomes a challenge for them, as well. These experiences can lead to low self-esteem and feelings of isolation.
Helping teens find compensatory strategies to address these issues can help teens build the confidence they need. For example, teens can learn how to interpret social cues. They can learn to use the voice function for texting if keyboarding is too challenging.
Behavioural Concerns
One element of dyslexia that has nothing to do with language is its effect on behaviour. These issues can manifest themselves in the following ways:
- Absenteeism – Some students will avoid going to language arts classes or school entirely to escape the trauma of reading in class.
- Withdrawal – Teens withdraw from activities that might call attention to their learning disability. They become resigned to never achieving their academic or social goals. Also, they may even become sullen and disrespectful if their withdrawal is seen as being lazy or slow.
- Acting out – Disciplinary problems are common in students with dyslexia, especially those who have not been diagnosed. They may become disruptive. They may exhibit inappropriate responses because of frustration.
The important thing to remember is your teen needs emotional support to navigate the world. If you notice your child exhibiting these behaviours, it may be time to consult a professional for a behaviour assessment.
Get Support for Your Teen’s Dyslexia from Venture Academy
There are different approaches to help teens with dyslexia. Some involve multi-sensory instruction, which involves more of the senses than sight and hearing. The Orton–Gillingham method has been successful in teaching children the connection between letters and sounds. At Venture Academy, we assess each student’s needs and identify the best strategies for success. If your teen needs help with a learning disability, contact us to set up a consultation today by calling 866.762.2211 or visiting us online.
