Abhishek Bachchan was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 9: All you need to know about this learning disorder
Abhishek Bachchan revealed that he was diagnosed with dyslexia at age nine. Here's all you need to know about this learning disorder, including the signs and symptoms.
New Delhi: Raising a child with dyslexia can be quite a journey. For the uninitiated, dyslexia is a lifelong condition that makes it difficult for people to read, write and spell. It is the most common learning issue, although it’s not known what percentage of children have it. But unlike a learning disability, dyslexia has nothing to do with a child’s intelligence or poor eyesight. Some well-known personalities with dyslexia include Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, Hollywood director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Cruise.
Abhishek Bachchan revealed that he was diagnosed with dyslexia at age nine. But the actor did not try to push his dyslexia out of sight from fans or the media or let his condition hold him back from becoming one of the most successful stars in Bollywood. Rather, he has been sharing this story and promoting for learning disability awareness groups. In fact, he also played a part in the making of actor Aamir Khan’s film ‘Taare Zameen Par’, a film that portrays the life of a young dyslexic boy struggling through school. Read on to learn more about this common learning difficulty.
What exactly is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that causes problems with reading, writing and spelling. Dyslexia can also create difficulty with other skills such as comprehension, math, language, etc.
What are the signs and symptoms of dyslexia?
The signs and symptoms of dyslexia may differ from one child to another. Generally, symptoms show up when a child starts school. A person with dyslexia may -
- Read and write slowly.
- Struggle with spelling or put letters the wrong way round.
- Have trouble with recognising common words.
- Have difficulty with information that’s written down- but understand information when told verbally.
People with the condition may also experience delayed reading ability, headache, or speech impairment. But dyslexics often have good skills in other areas, such as creative thinking and problem solving, as per NHS.
What causes dyslexia?
The exact cause of dyslexia is not known, however, this condition tends to run in the families. Certain things that may contribute to dyslexia include - premature birth or low birth, brain level difference, environmental factors, genetics, etc.
It is said that kids with dyslexia have an increased risk of having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and vice versa.
How can you help your child with dyslexia?
There are a number of ways you can help your child with dyslexia, from working with the school to working on reading skills. With appropriate support, a child with dyslexia can do well and succeed in school and in life.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.
Get the Latest health news, healthy diet, weight loss, Yoga, and fitness tips, more updates on Times Now