Question:
I have been trying to find some research on the reading levels of dyslexic persons over time. I have checked the ERIC and MEDLINE databases for dyslexia and longitudinal but I have found very little. Most have covered only one or two years and do not address the questions I have. I have not found what I want. And, what I want is a chart showing case studies which show the reading levels and IQs of dyslexic persons through Grammar school, High school, and into adulthood (say to age 30 or 40). But I will take what I can get that shows a realistic picture of the functional reading levels of persons diagnosed with dyslexia as they go into adulthood. Do they get over the disability? What can they expect to be able to read using visual reading? I have an opinion on this but want to see hard data. Can anyone help me?
Answer:
DESCRIPTION: Dyslexia is a learning disability that alters the way the brain processes written material. The effects of the disorder vary from person to person. In fact, the only common trait among people with dyslexia is that they read at levels significantly lower than typical for people of their age and intelligence.
TREATMENT: The main focus of treatment should be on the specific learning problems of affected individuals. The usual course is to modify teaching methods and the educational environment to meet the specific needs of the individual with dyslexia.
PROGNOSIS: For those with dyslexia, the prognosis is mixed. The disability affects such a wide range of people, producing different symptoms and varying degrees of severity, that predictions are hard to make. The prognosis is generally good, however, for individuals whose dyslexia is identified early, who have supportive family and friends and a strong self-image, and who are involved in a proper remediation program.
RESEARCH: The NINDS and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Mental Health, conduct research on dyslexia. Current research avenues focus on developing techniques to diagnose and treat dyslexia and other learning disabilities, increasing the understanding of the biological basis of learning disabilities, and exploring the relationship between neurophysiological processes and cognitive functions with regard to reading ability.
