Dyslexia primarily affects reading and written language skills, but it can also impact spoken language in children. Since dyslexia is rooted in difficulties with phonological processing (the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in language), its effects often extend to verbal communication. Here’s how dyslexia can influence spoken language:
- Difficulty with Phonological Awareness
- Impact: Children with dyslexia may struggle to break words into individual sounds or syllables, blend sounds to form words, or recognize rhyming patterns.
- Examples: They might have trouble identifying the first sound in ‘cat’ or distinguishing between similar-sounding words like ‘pat’ and ‘bat’
- Limited Vocabulary Development
- Impact: Struggles with decoding written words can delay vocabulary growth. This, in turn, limits a child’s ability to express themselves verbally.
- Examples: They may use vague terms like ‘thing’ or ‘stuff’ instead of more precise words because they lack exposure to a broader vocabulary through reading.
- Word Retrieval Challenges (Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon)
- Impact: Dyslexic children often find it difficult to recall specific words, even when they know the meaning and concept. This issue stems from inefficiencies in phonological memory.
- Examples: They may pause frequently, use filler words like ‘um’ or substitute a descriptive phrase for a specific word (e.g., saying ‘the thing you use to cut paper’ instead of ‘scissors’).
- Speech Production Errors
- Impact: Pronunciation of multisyllabic words can be challenging due to phonological deficits.
- Examples: A child might mispronounce complex words like ‘specific’ as ‘pacific’ or ‘animal’ as ‘aminal’
- Problems Following Directions
- Impact: Difficulty processing spoken language can make it harder to follow multi-step instructions, particularly if they involve sequencing or unfamiliar vocabulary.
- Examples: A child may only complete part of a task or confuse the order of steps, especially if instructions are given verbally and quickly.
- Poor Narrative Skills
- Impact: Organizing thoughts into coherent, structured stories can be difficult for children with dyslexia. This relates to challenges with sequencing and recalling language-based information.
- Examples: Their storytelling might lack a clear beginning, middle, and end, or they might omit key details.
- Reduced Confidence in Verbal Communication
- Impact: Struggles with word retrieval, pronunciation, and vocabulary can lead to frustration and a reluctance to speak in class or social situations.
- Examples: A child might avoid answering questions or participating in discussions due to fear of making mistakes.
- Difficulty Learning a Second Language
- Impact: The phonological challenges of dyslexia can make it harder for children to learn and pronounce words in a second language.
- Examples: They might struggle with distinguishing between sounds in the new language or remembering vocabulary.
Support Strategies for Spoken Language Challenges
- Phonological Training: Activities like rhyming games and syllable clapping can strengthen sound recognition skills.
- Speech Therapy: A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can address specific articulation and word retrieval issues.
- Structured Language Practice: Programs like Orton-Gillingham focus on building both spoken and written language skills.
- Encouraging Communication: Providing a supportive environment where the child feels comfortable making mistakes can boost confidence.
Although dyslexia is primarily a reading-based learning disability, its effects on spoken language can significantly impact a child’s communication skills. Early intervention and targeted support can help mitigate these challenges, fostering better verbal and overall academic outcomes.