Genetics
diagnostics powering improved clinical outcomes
Dyslexia Predisposition
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Dyslexia is a learning disability that can hinder a person's ability to read, write, spell and sometimes speak. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children—and it persists throughout life. The severity of Dyslexia can vary from mild to severe.Up to 75% of Dyslexia is due to genetic factors encoded in specific alleles of Dyslexia genes.
Dyslexia is caused by impairment in the brain's ability to translate visual or auditory images into understandable language. It does not result from vision or hearing problems. It is not due to mental retardation, brain damage, nor a lack of intelligence. Even intelligent children with the opportunity to learn will have difficulty learning to read if they have Dyslexia. The worldwide estimated prevalence of Dyslexia ranges from 5% to 17%. Tragically, Dyslexia is still frequently unrecognized and often leads to academic under-achievement with detrimental social and economic consequences.
Intervention programs work, but are most effective when Dyslexia is diagnosed at an early age. The sooner Dyslexia is treated, the more favorable the outcome; though it is never too late for people with Dyslexia to learn to improve their language skills.
Dyslexia is a difficult disorder to diagnose. It is currently diagnosed through a battery of reading and comprehension tests which usually begin after the patient has started to exhibit learning and behavioral problems. The assessment plan depends on the patient’s specific problems but should include testing in five areas: cognition (intelligence), academic performance, communication, sensory/motor skills and health/developmental status. Testing is typically done by school officials, psychologists and/or health professionals consulted by the parent.
Tests for Dyslexia generally query for cognitive and auditory response to verbal and written inputs. These tests, while reliable, are subjective and effort intensive.
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Dyslexia is a learning disability that can hinder a person's ability to read, write, spell and sometimes speak. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children—and it persists throughout life. The severity of Dyslexia can vary from mild to severe.
Up to 75% of Dyslexia is due to genetic factors encoded in specific alleles of Dyslexia genes.
Dyslexia is caused by impairment in the brain's ability to translate visual or auditory images into understandable language. It does not result from vision or hearing problems. It is not due to mental retardation, brain damage, nor a lack of intelligence. Even intelligent children with the opportunity to learn will have difficulty learning to read if they have Dyslexia. The worldwide estimated prevalence of Dyslexia ranges from 5% to 17%. Tragically, Dyslexia is still frequently unrecognized and often leads to academic under-achievement with detrimental social and economic consequences.
Intervention programs work, but are most effective when Dyslexia is diagnosed at an early age. The sooner Dyslexia is treated, the more favorable the outcome; though it is never too late for people with Dyslexia to learn to improve their language skills.
Dyslexia is a difficult disorder to diagnose. It is currently diagnosed through a battery of reading and comprehension tests which usually begin after the patient has started to exhibit learning and behavioral problems. The assessment plan depends on the patient’s specific problems but should include testing in five areas: cognition (intelligence), academic performance, communication, sensory/motor skills and health/developmental status. Testing is typically done by school officials, psychologists and/or health professionals consulted by the parent.
Tests for Dyslexia generally query for cognitive and auditory response to verbal and written inputs. These tests, while reliable, are subjective and effort intensive.