Does Dyslexia Affect Speech?

Does Dyslexia Affect Speech?

What is Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to read, write, spell, and sometimes speak. This disorder is caused by the differences in how the brain processes written and spoken language. People with dyslexia have difficulty connecting letters to their sounds, sounds to their words, and words to their meanings. 

For some, dyslexia may be mild, with slight struggles in spelling and writing, while for others, it may also affect their daily communication. According to the International Dyslexia Association, 15-20% of the population has some symptom(s) of dyslexia, such as difficulty mixing words or struggles with reading and/or writing.

Dyslexia, however, is not an indicator of poor intelligence. Some of the great minds of our time, including Albert Einstein, had dyslexia, and he had an estimated IQ of 160! With appropriate strategies and support, people with dyslexia can succeed academically and professionally.

Speech therapy offers support for those facing communication challenges. If you or a loved one might benefit from speech therapy for dyslexia, schedule your free introductory call with Great Speech today!

Cause of Dyslexia

It is not known for sure what causes dyslexia; however, MRIs have shown that the brain of someone with dyslexia develops and functions differently than that of someone who does not have this learning disability. 

Dyslexia can be hereditary. A child with a history of dyslexia in their immediate family is more likely to have this learning disorder than someone with no family history. 

If a child has a family history of dyslexia, a speech delay, and/or reading struggles, they may greatly benefit from speech therapy.

While dyslexia is typically present at birth, it may not be diagnosed until later in a child's reading and writing development, during their primary school years. Those who have experienced a brain injury, stroke, or dementia may also show signs of dyslexia, and dyslexia may also worsen with age.  

Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia

Someone with dyslexia often faces challenges with reading, spelling, and writing and others may also struggle with speech. Signs and symptoms of dyslexia by age group may include but are not limited to:

Children

  • Delay in speech
  • Slow to learn new words
  • Trouble learning letter sounds and sounding out words
  • Mixing up letters and numbers that look similar (d’s with b’s and 6’s with 9’s)
  • Struggling to find the right words to express feelings and ideas
  • Mixing up words that sound similar
  • Struggling with learning to read
  • Skipping words when reading aloud
  • Stuttering
  • Struggling to follow instructions in the correct order
  • Pronouncing words incorrectly
  • Slow reading

Teens and Adults

  • Inconsistent Spelling
  • Struggling with reading comprehension
  • Mixing up words while reading aloud
  • Trouble organizing thoughts and expressing them clearly in writing and/or speech
  • Difficulty with time management and planning
  • Low self-esteem and hesitation when it comes to reading aloud
  • Struggling to find the right words when communicating

Diagnosing Dyslexia

Many people with dyslexia are diagnosed as a child when they are struggling with reading and writing. However, it is not unheard of for teens or adults to receive this diagnosis later in life. Some may have developed coping mechanisms to mask their struggles while others’ symptoms may have gradually appeared. 

Early diagnosis of dyslexia is key because it allows the child to develop essential skills and strategies to build confidence and succeed.

How Can Dyslexia Affect Speech

Due to its impact on language processing, dyslexia affects speech in various ways. It can limit the size of a person’s vocabulary and make it difficult to express their thoughts while speaking. They may struggle to find the right words or mix up words as they talk. A person with dyslexia may confuse words that sound similar but have different meanings, such as “accept” and “except.” They may have difficulty pronouncing words and speak slower than average. 

Someone with dyslexia may struggle to keep up conversations in a group setting, making them feel isolated. Therefore, they may limit this type of exposure whenever possible.

How Does Speech Therapy Help with Dyslexia?

For some, dyslexia may be mild, only affecting them slightly with reading and/or writing. For others, it may hinder their ability to communicate effectively and confidently. A lack of confidence may prevent them from speaking up in professional and personal conversations.

Generally speaking, speech therapy for someone with dyslexia will focus on developing their phonological processing skills. It will vary depending on the person’s individual needs and goals however, some target areas may include but are not limited to:

  • Rhyming
  • Identifying beginning and end word sounds
  • Syllable Blending
  • Listening Comprehension
  • Role-playing exercises to help develop an understanding of social cues and appropriate responses

For further information on the topic of dyslexia and speech therapy, visit our previous blog titled The Role of Speech Therapy in Dyslexia.

When you work with a speech therapist through Great Speech, you receive treatment tailored to your needs, challenges, goals, and learning style, ensuring you get the best treatment. If you want to learn more about whether our virtual speech therapy might be right for you, schedule your free introductory call today!