Different Types of Dyslexia & How to Identify Them

Dyslexia includes a wide range of reading challenges. It is a learning disability that is recognized worldwide for a variety of reasons. It is a well-known disorder that affects the ability of an individual to read as well as understand written language. Dyslexia is a disorder that is common among people of all age groups. It is known worldwide as a neurological condition that is tough to recognize.

Dyslexia makes learning a difficult process. People especially, adults and children with the symptoms of this learning disorder usually struggle throughout their life to decode words as well as letters. Even after its good popularity, many people still do not understand what it is, and how it affects the patient.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning impairment that affects the patient in different ways. It is a disorder that makes it harder for the individual to learn to read. This learning disorder is characterized by trouble reading. People who have dyslexia face difficulty in speech sounds. Dyslexic people also find it hard to understand how to decode, i.e. to link to words and letters.

Many people consider dyslexia a disability. But the fact is, it is just a learning difficulty. In the term dyslexia, “Dys” means difficulty, and “Lexia” means a word. With this, the word means “difficultly with words”. It is common to see dyslexia in different forms. Some dyslexic people have difficulty only with pronouncing the words, while others find it tough to write accurately.

Different Types Of Dyslexia

To increase the effectiveness of treatment, dyslexia is categorized into different common types. Understanding the different types helps to catch the signs of the disorder at the right time. Let’s have a look at some common types of dyslexia and how they can be identified.

Phonological Dyslexia

Phonological dyslexia is one of the most prevalent types of dyslexia. It is a type of dyslexia in the person’s face processing the sounds of the letters. It is tough for them to match the letter’s sound with the written forms. Phonological dyslexia is also known as Dysphonetic or Auditory Dyslexia.

Common symptoms of phonological dyslexia include difficulty in spelling, sounding out unfamiliar words, recognizing even familiar words in new contexts, learning sounds that are made by letters or letter combinations, etc. People with phonological dyslexia also read slowly and avoid reading activities. Paying attention to these signs helps to identify this type of dyslexia.

Deep Dyslexia

Deep Dyslexia is a type of dyslexia caused due to problems in the left brain. The problems in the left brain usually result due to a stroke or any major head trauma. People with this disorder do not have the capacity to read. Such type of dyslexia is identified with difficulty in reading non-words and grammatical errors.

Surface Dyslexia

Surface dyslexia is a type of dyslexia in which the person is unable to read differently spelled words. They find it tough to read those words that are spelled differently than their pronunciation. This type of dyslexia is also referred to as visual dyslexia. People with this disorder find it tough to recognize words by sight. The disorder doesn’t involve any problem with eyesight or vision. It is just the brain of the person that recognizes words, numbers, and letters differently.

Rapid Naming Dyslexia

Rapid Naming Dyslexia is usually related to processing or reading speed. People which this type of Dyslexia find it tough to list numbers, colors, and letters. Things become more complicated for them when they have to read them in a row. Such people take more time and effort to read listed numbers, colors, and letters. Some common signs such as the use of gestures in place of words, difficulty in retrieving words, making up nonsense words, etc. help to identify rapid naming dyslexia.

Double Deficit Dyslexia

Double Deficit Dyslexia is a disorder in which people struggle with two different aspects of reading. It is a dyslexia type that is a combination of rapid naming dyslexia and phonological dyslexia. Double Deficit Dyslexia is known as one of the most severe types of dyslexia. Weak phonological awareness and poor naming speed rate are indications of this type of dyslexia.

Visual Dyslexia

Visual Dyslexia is another common type of dyslexia. In this type of disorder, it is tough for the person to remember what he/she saw on a page. The disorder usually results due to problems with the brain parts that involve visual processing. People with Visual Dyslexia also find it tough to spell, and form letters. Their brain doesn’t capture the entire picture of what the eyes see. They also have issues with other aspects of writing. The disorder impacts the learning process.

Difficulty in keeping a place in the text, tracking across lines of text, headache, lack of focus, and blurred text while reading, are some common symptoms of the disorder, paying attention to which helps to identify it at the right time.

Final Thought

Many people have a misconception about dyslexia that it cannot be treated. However, hiring a professional Orton Gillingham tutor is one of the best ways to improve the condition of a dyslexic person. Such experts understand the condition and requirements of dyslexic people and help them become better readers.