Dysphonetic Dyslexia: Diagnosis and Treatment
Dysphonetic dyslexia is a type of dyslexia characterized by difficulty processing phonemes, or the smallest units of spoken language. It is estimated that up to 10% of individuals with dyslexia have this particular type of the disorder (Ramus, Marshall, & Rosen, 2016). This article will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of dysphonetic dyslexia.
Diagnosis of Dysphonetic Dyslexia
Dysphonetic dyslexia is typically diagnosed through a combination of verbal testing and academic assessment. Verbal testing may include tests such as the Test of Phonological Awareness (TOPA) and the Phonological Awareness Test (PAT), which measure an individual’s ability to identify and manipulate phonemes. Academic assessment may include the use of standard reading and spelling tests to measure an individual’s ability to decode words and comprehend text. Additionally, the use of eye tracking technology may be used to measure an individual’s ability to accurately read words (Ramus et al., 2016).
Treatment of Dysphonetic Dyslexia
Treatment of dysphonetic dyslexia typically involves a combination of phonological awareness training, phonemic awareness training, and orthographic mapping. Phonological awareness training involves the use of structured activities to help individuals identify and manipulate phonemes. Phonemic awareness training uses activities to help individuals discriminate between similar sounds, such as “b” and “d”. Orthographic mapping involves the use of visual cues to help individuals identify words, such as the use of pictures to represent words (Ramus et al., 2016).
In addition to structured activities, a variety of assistive technologies may also be used to support individuals with dysphonetic dyslexia. These technologies may include text-to-speech software, speech recognition software, and voice recognition software. These technologies can help individuals with dyslexia process and understand spoken language, identify and manipulate phonemes, and accurately read and comprehend text.
Conclusion
Dysphonetic dyslexia is a type of dyslexia characterized by difficulty processing phonemes. It is typically diagnosed through a combination of verbal testing and academic assessment. Treatment typically involves a combination of phonological awareness training, phonemic awareness training, and orthographic mapping, as well as the use of assistive technologies. With appropriate diagnosis and intervention, individuals with dysphonetic dyslexia can be successful in school and in life.
References
Ramus, F., Marshall, C., & Rosen, S. (2016). Dyslexia: A complete guide for parents and those who help them. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.