Developmental Reading and Writing Disorder

These disorders occur when children fail to acquire adequate reading and writing skills (literacy skills), despite appropriate exposure and instruction.

Difficulties with reading and writing commonly occur in special populations (e.g. children with Down Syndrome), as well as in adult populations (e.g. traumatic brain injury). Children who have a spoke language impairment are four to five times more likely to experience literacy difficulties, than children without a language impairment.

While many factors contribute to childrens' written language development, aspects of children's spoken langauge are vital for literacy success. There are three important skills that provide the foundation for literacy development:

• oral language skills
• awareness of the sound structure of spoken language (known as phonological awareness)
• letter knowledge

Characteristics

There are a number of characteristics of difficulties with reading and writing. These include:

• struggling with reading instruction at school, when compared with his or her peers
• experiencing difficulty in spelling and "sounding out" words
• experiencing difficulty expressing themselves verbally
• experiencing difficulty in understanding language
• having a history of speech and/or language difficulties at preschool
• demonstrating limited phonological awareness skills such as breaking words into individual sounds, identifying individual sounds in words, or identifying or producing rhyme
• demonstrating limited awareness of letter-sound relationships
• avoiding book reading situations at home or school

Cause

The exact cause for reading and writing difficulties, such as dyslexia, is unknown. However, there appears to be a genetic component; if a family history of written or verbal speech and/or language difficulties exists, it increases the likelihood that a child will experience those same difficulties.

Role of the Speech-Language Therapist

Speech-Language Therapists have an important role in assisting children with reading and writing difficulties. Their role includes:

• assessment and treatment of underlying speech and language skills/difficulties
• working with teachers, families, and other education specialists to treat reading and writing difficulties
• identifying pre-school children at risk of developing a reading and writing disorder, and implementing early intervention programs for these children

What you can do

If you are concerned about your child's literacy development, try these strategies:

• ensure your child's hearing and vision have been assessed
• encourage participation in joint book reading - draw your child's attention to text and pictures; talk about letters and the sound(s) they make
• meet with your child's teacher to discuss their literacy development
• contact a Speech-Language Therapist

More Information

For more information about developmental reading and writing disorders, or to contact a Speech-Language Therapist, contact the following:

• your doctor
• your local Ministry of Education Special Education office

http://www.moe.govt.nz/

• the Yellow Pages
• Massey University Speech-Language Therapy Clinic: (09) 414 0800 ext 41290 / 41277
• the University of Auckland Speech-Language Therapy Clinics: (09) 303 5979
• the University of Canterbury Speech and Hearing Clinic: (03) 364 2408
• the NZSTA Private Practice Register