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Developmental reading disorder
Definition:
A reading disability resulting from a defect in the ability to process graphic symbols.

Alternative Names:
Dyslexia

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
There are about 2 to 8% of elementary-age children that have some degree of reading disability. Developmental reading disorder (DRD) or dyslexia is not attributable to eye problems but instead is a defect of higher cortical (brain) processing of symbols. Children with DRD may have trouble rhyming and separating the sounds in spoken words. These abilities appear critical in the process of learning to read.

Initial reading skills are based on word recognition. More developed reading skills require the linking of words into a coherent sentence (thought). DRD children may be unable to form images from the meanings of the words or to process the words into an idea which is understandable. At this level, reading may fail at its primary function, which is to convey information.

Dyslexia or developmental reading disorder may appear in combination with developmental writing disorder and developmental arithmetic disorder. All of these processes involve the manipulation of symbols and the conveyance of information by their manipulation. These conditions may appear singly or in any combination.

Other causes of learning disability and, in particular, reading disability, must be ruled out before a diagnosis of DRD can be made. Cultural and educational shortfalls, emotional problems, mental retardation, and diseases of the brain (for example AIDS) can all cause learning disabilities.
Symptoms:
  • possible family history of learning disorder
  • difficulty learning to recognize written words
  • difficulty rhyming
  • difficulty determining the meaning (idea content) of a simple sentence
  • may occur in combination with writing or arithmetic learning problems
Signs and tests:
Other causes of learning disabilities will need to be ruled out before the diagnosis of dyslexia can be confirmed.
Treatment:
Remedial instruction has remained the best approach to this type of reading disorder.
Expectations (prognosis):
Marked improvement in reading and understanding can be achieved with remedial instruction. However, difficulties persist throughout adulthood.
Complications:
  • problems in school, including behavior problems (an indirect result, such as a reaction to teasing by other children) and loss of self esteem
  • problems with employment as adulthood is reached (especially if the child has not obtained remedial instruction and coping skills)
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if your child appears to be having trouble learning to read.
Prevention:
Learning disorders tend to run in families. DRD is one facet of learning disorders. Affected families should make every effort to recognize existing problems early. For occurrences in families without previous history, intervention may begin as early as preschool or kindergarten if teachers detect early signs. Early intervention will provide the best possible outcome.
Review Date: 8/15/2001
Reviewed By: Elizabeth Hait, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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