Chapter 9 Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is developmental dyslexia?
A common condition where the brain has difficulty learning to read, despite normal intelligence.
How many people are estimated to have dyslexia?
Around 1 in 10.
Why is dyslexia often emotionally difficult for children?
Because they struggle with reading despite being intelligent, leading to frustration and low self-esteem.
What are the two main components involved in learning to read?
Recognizing visual symbols (orthography) and analyzing speech sounds (phonology).
What does phonemic structure refer to?
The way spoken words are made up of separate sounds (phonemes).
What is the challenge for dyslexics in recognizing unfamiliar words?
Difficulty in sequencing letters and sounds due to poor visuomotor and auditory processing.
What is the magnocellular system?
A visual system with large neurons specialized for motion tracking and eye movement control.
How is the magnocellular system involved in reading?
It helps track letters by stabilizing eye movements and generating corrective motion signals.
What have studies found in dyslexics’ magnocellular systems?
Impairment or disorganization, leading to unstable vision and letter movement confusion.
How does this visual instability affect reading?
Letters may seem to move or switch places, disrupting the reading process.
What phonological issues do dyslexics have?
Difficulty sequencing sounds and mispronouncing words (e.g., “lollypop” as “pollylop”).
What causes these auditory issues in dyslexics?
Mild deficiencies in large auditory neurons that track sound changes in frequency and intensity.
How do dyslexics differ in distinguishing phonemes?
They struggle with subtle differences, such as between ‘b’ and ‘d’.
What is one theory for the broader range of problems seen in dyslexia?
Improper development of neurons that track temporal changes throughout the brain.
What is the connection between dyslexia and the cerebellum?
Dyslexics may have impaired cerebellar function, affecting movement control, writing, and cognitive planning.
What physical trait is sometimes seen in dyslexics?
Clumsiness and poor handwriting.
What do all dyslexia treatments have in common?
They rely on early diagnosis.
What are some current theories behind dyslexia treatment?
Magnocellular impairment, phonological deficits, and cerebellar dysfunction.
What is a new computer-based treatment approach?
Games that train children to hear slowed-down speech sounds to better define phonemic boundaries.
How can genes and environment interact in dyslexia?
A genetic weakness can be worsened or compensated by the learning environment and plasticity of the brain.
What makes the study of dyslexia scientifically interesting?
It highlights how normal brain development can be altered by genetic variation and experience.
What are some potential strengths associated with dyslexia?
Better color discrimination, holistic thinking, and recognition of long-range or unexpected associations.
Name famous individuals who were dyslexic.
Leonardo da Vinci, Einstein, Hans Christian Andersen, and Thomas Edison.
