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 Reading
Disorders...
What is a reading disorder?
Students with a reading disorder have a problem with
their reading skills. Their reading skills are significantly
below what is normal considering the student’s
age, intelligence, and education. The poor reading skills
cause problems with the student's academic success and/or
other important areas in life.
What signs are associated with a
reading disorder?
Signs associated with reading disorder include:
- poor recognition of the written word
- very slow oral reading
- many mistakes in oral reading
- very poor comprehension of what has been read
- Students who suffer from reading disorders frequently
have:
- low self-esteem
- social problems
- increased dropout rate at school
- Reading disorders may also be associated with:
- conduct disorder
- attention deficit disorder
- depression
- other learning disorders
Are there genetic factors associated
with a reading disorder?
Reading disorders tend to show up more in certain families.
At what age does a reading disorder
appear?
Reading disorder is usually brought to the attention
of the child’s parents in kindergarten or first
grade when reading instruction becomes a very important
part of the classroom teaching.
How often is a reading disorder seen
in our society?
Although it is difficult to determine exactly, at least
five percent (5%) of children in the United States suffer
from a reading disorder.
How is a reading disorder diagnosed?
The person with normal intelligence demonstrates poor
reading skills and no other neurological, visual, or
hearing problems. Some children with very high intelligence
may not have a reading disorder discovered until later
in elementary school.
Because standardized group testing is not accurate
enough to diagnose this disorder, it is very important
that the individual be given special psychoeducational
tests to determine if a learning disorder is present.
Special attention must be given to the child’s
ethnic and cultural background by the student’s
examiner.
How is a reading disorder treated?
The treatment for reading disorder mainly involves
putting the student into a program with an emphasis
on remedial or corrective reading instruction. Usually
the extra help in reading is supplied to the student
through reading resource classrooms in school, small
class size, or individual tutoring.
What happens to someone with a reading
disorder?
With or without treatment, the reading disorder will
gradually improve. However, even when good help is available
to the student, the person may have chronic problems
with reading. Students with high intelligence tend to
improve the most.
What can people do if they need help?
If you, a friend, or a family member would like more
information and you have a therapist or a physician,
please discuss your concerns with that person.
Contact
us for more info
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Info for parents to download 
