Dyslexia is a condition often associated with difficulties in reading and writing. However, recent studies have shed some more light on how often students with dyslexia also experience speech difficulties. In this blog post, we will explore the intricate relationship between dyslexia and speech, answering the question of ‘can dyslexia affect speech?’ and how using specialised therapy with music for dyslexia can help.
Let’s begin by understanding what dyslexia is and what causes this condition.
What Causes Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a complex neurodevelopmental condition primarily caused by genetics. While the exact mechanisms responsible for dyslexia are still being investigated, some researches have found evidence that dyslexia is associated with changes in specific brain regions in the left hemisphere that control language processing.
Dyslexia changes the way the brain processes and interprets information related to language. As a result, individuals with dyslexia commonly struggle with aspects of reading, writing and speech.
It should be mentioned here that dyslexia is not an illness; it is a natural variation in cognitive abilities that presents itself differently for different individuals. While some individuals with dyslexia may have mild difficulties, others may show more significant differences in reading, learning and speech. This variation can be due to several reasons, such as - genetic predisposition, environmental factors and the availability of appropriate support and interventions.
Can Dyslexia Affect Speech?
Yes, dyslexia may also cause speech-related difficulties. While the differences are most obvious in reading and writing, dyslexia can also impact speech. This is because dyslexia presents a language learning difficulty that includes both written and spoken words.
Here is How Dyslexia Affects Speech:
1. Phonological Awareness
Dyslexia typically makes it hard for people to recognise and manipulate individual sounds in words, potentially leading to difficulties in:
Sound-to-Symbol Connection: Individuals with dyslexia, particularly children and teenagers, may have difficulties mastering the sound-to-symbol relationship. This leads to errors in connecting the sounds of specific words with their corresponding letters or symbols, which is a significant aspect of the reading and learning process.
Rhyming Challenges: Rhyming is finding words with similar ending sounds, a crucial language learning skill. Identifying rhymes can be difficult for students with dyslexia, which affects their ability to understand and use language patterns accurately.
2. Word Retrieval
Dyslexic students usually experience trouble recalling words, not at least when they need to retrieve them from their long-term memory. This can be the case of:
Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon: Students with dyslexia are likely sometimes to experience this “tip-of-the-tongue” phenomenon, where they know a word but can't recall it. Since this impacts their fluency, it can be pretty frustrating.
Word-Finding Delays: For individuals with dyslexia, retrieving words from their vocabulary can take longer. This can lead to pauses and hesitations in speech, affecting their communication skills.
3. Phonological Processing
Dyslexia can also lead to difficulties in the production or processing of sound, which can lead to:
Complications in Sound Discrimination: Distinguishing between similar-sounding words can be challenging for students with dyslexia, which can lead to errors during speech.
Low Syllable Awareness: Syllable awareness is essential for understanding the structure of words and for improving reading and spelling skills. Breaking words into syllables can be difficult with dyslexia.
4. Motor Planning and Coordination
Recent research suggests that dyslexia may affect practical learning, which involves learning and performing motor skills, such as speech involvement. This could contribute to:
Fluency Challenges: Dyslexia can impact the motor skills involved in speech production, leading to fluency and rhythm difficulties. This is the main reason for stuttering, repetition or other speech disfluencies sometimes observed in dyslexic students.
Pronunciation Issues: Due to motor planning difficulties, producing certain sounds accurately can be challenging for individuals with dyslexia. Such individuals may have trouble articulating specific sounds or frequently mispronounce words.
5. Delayed Speech Development:
Delayed Language Milestones: Students with dyslexia may experience delays in reaching speech and language milestones. This includes difficulties acquiring new vocabulary skills, forming sentences and understanding and responding to language.
Challenges with Vocabulary Development: Building vocabulary can be challenging in individuals with dyslexia as they struggle to connect sounds with their meaning. As a result, dyslexic students may have a smaller vocabulary range or struggle to retrieve words from their mental dictionary.
The Benefits of Speech Therapy Using Music for Dyslexia
Music can be a valuable tool in addressing speech difficulties associated with dyslexia. Here are some benefits of using music therapy for dyslexia:
1. Fun and Engaging
Students often find music enjoyable and engaging, making therapy sessions less tiresome and more fun for those with dyslexia. Engaging in this fun activity helps to reduce anxiety and improve motivation, helping students with dyslexia to participate actively in therapy.
2. Improved Language Skills
Learning music has been proven to enhance language skills among dyslexic students by improving phonological awareness, vocabulary development and grammar. This is because music involves listening to and producing sounds, which refines auditory processing and speech production among dyslexic students.
3. Increased Confidence
Music is an age-old motivator that boosts confidence and motivation. It can also encourage us to try new things and take risks, especially for students with dyslexia, who may feel self-conscious or embarrassed due to their communication difficulties.
4. Enhanced Cognition
Music has been shown to improve overall cognitive function, including memory, attention and problem-solving skills. As dyslexic students often struggle in these areas, music for dyslexia can help.
Conclusion
Dyslexia can significantly impact speech as it affects various aspects of verbal communication. Understanding how dyslexia can affect speech and using therapies like music for dyslexia can help students improve their communication skills and overcome challenges associated with this learning difference.
Want to Try Out Music Therapy for Dyslexia? Get in Touch with Me!
If you or someone you know is struggling with dyslexia and speech difficulties, I can help. With a Masters in Education, I have been in the education field for more than 15 years and spent more than 10 years working in Special Education Needs.
Here at Music Dyslexia, I can conduct an accurate dyslexia test for teenagers, children (7 years or older) and adults. I also offer music-based dyslexia tuition, which can help with learning. Give me a call today to book an appointment.
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