EDUCATION REPORT - Learning Disabilities, Part 2: Dyslexia

EDUCATION REPORT - Learning¹ Disabilities, Part 2: Dyslexia
By Nancy Steinbach

Broadcast: Thursday, February 12, 2004

This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Education Report.

Last week, we began a discussion² of learning disabilities. These are disorders³ that cause unusual difficulty for a person to develop skills needed for life. A person can have a learning disability in one or more areas like reading, writing, listening, speaking or working with numbers. Today we talk about the condition known as dyslexia.

Researchers say eighty-five percent of people with a reading disability have dyslexia. The experts say the brain fails to link letters and sounds correctly in people with dyslexia.

The most common effects are difficulties reading, spelling and writing. Some people have problems with only one of these skills. Or they may have trouble with spoken language. They may find it difficult to express themselves clearly or understand what others say.

Dyslexia also can affect a person emotionally⁴. Specialists say students with dyslexia often think they are stupid and unable to learn. They say children who feel like this are in danger of failure and depression.

Signs of dyslexia in young children include learning to talk at a later age than others, and difficulty pronouncing words. Dyslexic children also have trouble learning or remembering letters, numbers, days of the week, colors and shapes.

Older students may have difficulty learning a foreign language. They may read very slowly or have trouble remembering what they read. Another possible sign of dyslexia is difficulty planning and organizing time.

Researchers say dyslexia continues through life and there is no cure. They say the most important part of treatment is to find the condition at an early age.

Specially⁵ trained educators can help teach people with dyslexia different ways to learn. Schools can give students more time to complete tasks and provide help taking notes. Researchers say listening to recorded books and writing with a computer can also help.

 
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There are organizations around the world that work to improve the study and treatment of dyslexia. One group is the International Dyslexia Association⁷. You can learn more information on its Web site. The address interdys.org. Again, the Web site is interdys.org.

We continue our series on learning disabilities next week. You can find our reports on the Internet at www.unsv.com. This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy Steinbach. This is Steve Ember.

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 discussion   

n.讨论，谈论；论述

参考例句：

• It is certain he will come to the discussion.他肯定会来参加讨论。
• After months of discussion,a peace agreement is gradually taking shape.经过几个月的商讨，和平协议渐渐有了眉目。

3 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 emotionally   

adv.感情上，情绪上，冲动地

参考例句：

• a special school for emotionally disturbed children 为精神异常儿童开办的特殊学校
• A wide range of emotionally stressful events may trigger a relapse. 多种令人情绪紧张的事情都可能引起旧病复发。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

6 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。

7 association   

n.联盟，协会，社团；交往，联合；联想

参考例句：

• Our long association with your company has brought great benefits.我方和贵公司的长期合作带来了巨大的利益。
• I broke away from the association ten years ago.我10年前就脱离了那个团体。