The Big Picture - How disorientation affects reading for a dyslexic

Dyslexia means "trouble with words." Recently, however, it has been further categorized into many different labels including ADD, ADHD, visual-spatial learners, processing disorders, etc. As more is learned about the commonality in thinking styles among all of these, there is a consistent theme with respect to many learning disabilities: Disorientation.

Disorientation affects many areas of learning such as reading, spelling, comprehension, writing, and math.

Disorientation is actually a natural talent - a gift. When disoriented, dyslexics can problem-solve, create, invent, engineer, and escape by using their extraordinary and vibrant multi-sensory thoughts, similar to movies. This same gift, however, is also what makes dealing with 2-dimensional words and symbols a tedious task.

Words that enable a picture-thinking person to imagine a picture, have meaning and are clearly understood. However, they are unconsciously challenged when faced with certain words like: the, was, if, and, were, in, on, as, or, that...and at least 209 others just like them (commonly known as “sight words”).

With no picture to process for each sight word, the reading material quickly loses meaning - causing confusion, frustration, and fatigue. At this point, the dyslexic's automatic response is to disorient and examine the source of the confusion multi-dimensionally. This works beautifully with real-world objects, but it doesn't work for the written word. The result of disorientation while reading is distorted perception of the words.

[rotating word]

When equipped with the right tools, people with Dyslexia can intentionally control and correct their perceptions and avoid the disabling aspects, allowing their gifts and talents to shine.

[Laurel Highlands client with Koosh® Balls]

[The Gift of Dyslexia book cover]

How does disorientation affect reading, spelling, comprehension?

Bottom-line: Disorientation prevents the information from being perceived accurately.