Dyslexia

Evidence 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2012.02806.x 

Lisanne T Bos, Jurgen Tijms 

Dyslexia is characterized as a specific deficit of reading acquisition. It is one of the most common learning disabilities, persists throughout life, and can have a major impact on someone's socioeconomic success in our knowledge society. Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of developmental problems including reading disabilities later in life. 

Education 

What is Dyslexia? 

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. 

This affects areas of the brain that process language. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory, and verbal processing speed.  

Relationship between dyslexia & premature birth:  

A study showed that babies born just 1 or 2 weeks before their 40-week gestation due date are more likely to develop learning difficulties such as dyslexia. Scientists have found that while babies born at 40 weeks have a 4 percent risk of learning difficulties, those born at 37 to 39 weeks of gestation have a 5.1 percent risk.  

Symptoms 

Dyslexia can influence areas such as coordination, organisation, and memory. 

Each person with dyslexia will experience the condition in a way that is unique to them and as such, each will have their own set of abilities and difficulties. 

Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities.  

Difficulties may be seen in aspects of language, motor coordination, mental calculation, concentration, and personal organization.  

Some common symptoms include Late talking, learning new words, difficulties in finding the right words or forming answers, spelling problems, low self-esteem, etc 

Children who are born prematurely do have a higher risk of having learning and thinking differences. The risk of having learning and thinking differences in children increases with their prematurity. It doesn’t mean that every premature child will be born as dyslexic or with any learning disabilities. 

In a child born premature, their brain doesn’t develop completely in the womb which can lead to a risk of having Dyslexia or learning or thinking disorders. There are many factors that can impact a premature foetus’s development.  

• Some preemies are underweight. That means less than 5.5 lbs/2.5 kilograms are considered underweight babies. So, this can be a cause. 

• Genetic disorders can be an important cause of this. 

• Some babies have serious medical complications that can affect their brain development. 

• Consuming alcohol, drugs, and nicotine of mothers, while their babies are in the womb, can seriously affect the baby. 

• Premature babies have developmental delays sometimes. It can be an early sign of learning disorders. 

Empowerment 

Children who are born prematurely or sick do have a higher risk of having learning and thinking differences. But this doesn’t mean that all premature or sick babies go on to have learning and thinking differences. Many do not. It just means that there is an increased risk. 

There are many other factors that can impact a premature baby’s development. Some babies have serious medical complications. Genetics can also play a role. So can exposure to drugs or alcohol while in the womb. These factors can help explain why some children who are born prematurely or sick may have learning and thinking differences, and some may not. 

Many children who were born prematurely meet all their developmental milestones on time. But some children who were born prematurely may have developmental delays. Developmental delays can be an early sign of learning differences. 

If you are concerned about your child showing signs of dyslexia or literacy difficulties or you have a family history of dyslexia or reading difficulties, it’s important to seek professional advice. 

You could start by talking to your child’s preschool, your child and family health nurse, GP or paediatrician, a speech pathologist or a psychologist.  

These professionals can direct you to appropriate services and support and help your child get a formal assessment. 

Useful Links  

Special thanks to Australian Dyslexia Association for content sharing and linking to provide further information and direction for families with any concerns. 

Australian Dyslexia Association 

https://dyslexiaassociation.org.au/ 

Miracle Babies Foundation 

https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/content/dyslexia/gk3liw 

Raising Children 

https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/learning-difficulties/dyslexia