Dyslexia

Overview

Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that affects the way the brain processes written and spoken language, making reading, writing, and spelling challenging despite normal intelligence and adequate instruction^[11]. This neurological condition affects approximately 10-20% of the population and is characterised by difficulties with phonological processing, word recognition, decoding, and sometimes short-term memory^[9].

While dyslexia is lifelong, it exists on a spectrum, and individuals experience varying degrees of difficulty. Many people with dyslexia possess remarkable strengths in creative thinking, problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and big-picture conceptualisation. Early identification and appropriate support are crucial, as unaddressed dyslexia can lead to frustration, reduced self-esteem, and academic underachievement that doesn't reflect true intellectual capacity. Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Health (TCIH) modalities offer valuable approaches that address the neurological, visual, cognitive, and emotional aspects of dyslexia^[5], working to rewire neural pathways, improve processing skills, enhance coordination between brain and body, and build confidence while recognising that dyslexia represents a different way of learning rather than a deficit.

Common Causes and Contributing Factors

• Genetic factors - Dyslexia tends to run in families, with children having a 40-60% chance of developing dyslexia if a parent is affected, suggesting strong hereditary components
• Neurological differences - Brain imaging shows variations in areas responsible for phonological processing, particularly in the left hemisphere regions involved in reading^[9]
• Phonological processing deficits - Difficulty recognising and manipulating the sound structure of language affects the ability to decode written words accurately^[6]
• Auditory processing challenges - Difficulties distinguishing between similar sounds or processing rapid sequences of sounds can impair phonemic awareness
• Visual processing differences - Some individuals experience visual stress, tracking difficulties, or perception issues that complicate reading, though dyslexia is primarily language-based^[8]
• Working memory limitations - Reduced capacity for holding and manipulating information temporarily affects reading comprehension and spelling
• Developmental timing - Critical periods of language development and reading instruction may not align optimally with individual neurological maturation patterns
• Prenatal and birth factors - Premature birth, low birth weight, or prenatal exposure to certain substances may increase risk for learning differences
• Environmental factors - Limited early literacy exposure, inadequate reading instruction, or lack of early intervention can exacerbate underlying difficulties
• Co-occurring conditions - ADHD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or anxiety disorders often accompany dyslexia, creating additional learning challenges

Signs and Symptoms

• Reading difficulties - Slow, laboured reading with frequent errors, difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words, and avoiding reading tasks
• Spelling challenges - Inconsistent spelling, difficulty applying phonetic rules, and trouble remembering sight words or spelling patterns
• Writing struggles - Difficulty organising thoughts on paper, poor handwriting, and challenges with grammar, punctuation, and written expression
• Phonological awareness problems - Trouble rhyming, segmenting words into sounds, blending sounds together, or manipulating phonemes
• Memory difficulties - Challenges remembering sequences (alphabet, multiplication tables, months), instructions, or new vocabulary
• Processing speed issues - Slower completion of reading and writing tasks compared to peers, despite understanding the material
• Directional confusion - Mixing up left and right, reversing letters (b/d, p/q) or numbers, and difficulty with sequencing
• Listening comprehension discrepancy - Understanding spoken information much better than written material, showing intellectual capability
• Word-finding difficulties - Struggling to retrieve specific words during conversation, using vague language, or substituting similar words
• Academic inconsistency - Performing well in some subjects (often math, science, art) while struggling significantly with reading and writing tasks

Holistic and TCIH Approaches

Holistic and Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) care addresses the neurological, visual, motor, and emotional aspects of dyslexia through specialised interventions that build new neural pathways, enhance processing abilities, and support overall learning capacity.

• Educational Kinesiology (Brain Gym®) uses specific physical movements designed to integrate brain function and improve learning capacity. These targeted exercises activate neural pathways, enhance coordination between the right and left brain hemispheres, improve cross-lateral movement patterns essential for reading, reduce stress associated with learning tasks, and support focus and concentration. Simple movements like cross-crawls, lazy 8s, and the PACE routine help prepare the brain and body for optimal learning while addressing the physical foundations of reading skills^[2,7,9].
• Neurofeedback employs real-time displays of brain activity to teach self-regulation of neural function, particularly targeting areas associated with attention, processing speed, and language. Through operant conditioning, individuals learn to strengthen underactive brain regions and calm overactive areas, improving reading fluency, enhancing working memory and processing speed, reducing anxiety related to learning challenges, and creating lasting changes in brain function. This non-invasive approach allows individuals to directly train their brains for improved reading and cognitive performance^[3,10].
• Occupational Therapy addresses the sensory, motor, and organisational skills that underpin reading and writing success. Therapists work on visual-motor integration, hand-eye coordination for tracking and writing, sensory processing that affects learning readiness, fine motor skills for handwriting, organisational and sequencing abilities, and strategies for managing classroom demands. This comprehensive approach ensures that the foundational skills necessary for reading and writing are developed alongside direct literacy instruction.
• Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) provides tools to restructure learning patterns, overcome limiting beliefs about intelligence and ability, improve information processing strategies, enhance motivation and confidence, and create positive associations with reading and learning. NLP practitioners help identify each individual's preferred learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) and develop strategies that align with natural strengths while building capabilities in challenging areas, transforming self-perception from "can't read" to "learning to read differently."
• Vision Therapy (integrated with other therapies) addresses visual skills essential for reading, including eye tracking, focusing ability, and visual perception. While dyslexia is primarily language-based, vision therapy can eliminate visual barriers that compound reading difficulties by improving eye movement control during reading, strengthening visual focus and stamina for sustained reading, enhancing visual discrimination and perception skills, reducing visual stress and discomfort, and supporting the visual foundation needed for efficient reading, particularly when integrated with educational and cognitive interventions^[8].
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps address the emotional and psychological impacts of dyslexia, including anxiety, low self-esteem, and learned helplessness. Therapists work to identify and challenge negative thought patterns about learning ability, develop coping strategies for academic challenges, build resilience and a growth mindset, reduce test and performance anxiety, and improve emotional regulation during frustrating learning situations. This support is crucial for maintaining motivation and preventing the secondary emotional difficulties that often accompany dyslexia.

Self-Care and Lifestyle Practices

• Read with audiobooks - Use audiobooks alongside physical books to strengthen word recognition while accessing content at an appropriate comprehension level
• Practice multisensory learning - Engage multiple senses simultaneously (seeing, hearing, touching, moving) when learning new information to create stronger neural connections
• Break tasks into steps - Divide reading and writing assignments into smaller, manageable chunks to reduce overwhelm and build success experiences
• Use assistive technology - Leverage text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and specialised reading apps that provide support while building skills
• Create a reading routine - Establish consistent, pressure-free reading time in a comfortable environment to build positive associations and stamina
• Exercise regularly - Engage in activities requiring cross-lateral movement (swimming, dancing, martial arts) to strengthen brain hemisphere integration
• Ensure adequate sleep - Maintain 8-10 hours for children and 7-9 hours for adults to support memory consolidation and cognitive processing
• Practice patience and self-compassion - Recognise that progress takes time and celebrate small victories rather than comparing to others' timelines
• Advocate for accommodations - Request appropriate educational supports like extended time, alternative formats, or assistive technology to access learning
• Focus on strengths - Actively engage in areas of natural talent and interest to maintain confidence and recognise that intelligence manifests in many ways

When to Seek Professional Support

Conventional medical practitioners should be consulted for a comprehensive evaluation, including psychological assessment and formal dyslexia diagnosis, screening for co-occurring conditions like ADHD or auditory processing disorders, ruling out vision or hearing problems that might complicate learning, accessing appropriate educational accommodations and individualised education plans (IEPs), and monitoring for anxiety or depression related to learning struggles. Medical attention is important when experiencing significant academic decline, severe emotional distress about school, physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches before reading tasks, or social withdrawal due to learning frustration. Early intervention is crucial when signs appear in early elementary years.

A verified SoulAdvisor practitioner can work collaboratively with educational professionals and medical providers to create comprehensive support addressing cognitive, sensory, motor, and emotional aspects of dyslexia, provide specialized interventions like Educational Kinesiology or neurofeedback that complement academic instruction, offer vision therapy or occupational therapy to address underlying visual-motor skills, teach learning strategies aligned with individual processing strengths, provide NLP or CBT to address confidence and overcome limiting beliefs, and support the whole child or adult beyond academics. This integrative approach recognises that dyslexia represents a different neurological organisation rather than a deficiency, and that with appropriate support, individuals with dyslexia can develop strong literacy skills while leveraging their unique cognitive strengths in creativity, problem-solving, and innovative thinking, ultimately thriving academically and personally^[5].