Understanding Dyslexia and its impact on memory:
Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affect a child’s reading, speaking, communication and everyday life.
According to numerous studies, dyslexia can actually affect our working memory.
Before we can discuss further about dyslexia we first need to look at different types of memories we have.
short-term memory is the information that a person processes in a very short period of time, precisely for only a few seconds.
long-term memory refers to information that is stored for a long period of time.
Whereas, working memory helps store information for a small amount of time so that we can use it in cognitive processes, for example listening to teachers and making notes.
Can dyslexia affect memory recall?
Our working memory is responsible for our information recall. Therefore, children with dyslexia have difficulty taking in and retrieving information. Not only memory recall but dyslexia can also affect multitasking, concentration, communication, and organization.
Powerful techniques for children with dyslexia:
Here are a few of the effective psychological techniques for children with dyslexia to learn and remember information effectively.
Multi-Sensory Learning:
This approach makes use of all the senses (visual, kinesthetic, tactile and auditory) to help children with reading and spelling.
People with dyslexia use different senses for effective learning.
Auditory techniques:
This technique can involve listening to books on tapes, or asking someone to read for you. Language games are also one example.
visual technique:
Making use of colors to organize or categorize information, creating images, texts on papers, posters, and computers
Tactile methods:
Techniques that involve a sense of touch is called tactile approach. Few examples of this can be sculpting materials, and racing on sand.
Kinesthetic method:
Technique that involves making use of body movements is called kinesthetic method. For example dancing, clapping on specific sounds or songs related to specific concepts.
Mnemonic devices:
chunking:
Chunking is grouping or categorizing large pieces of information into smaller units so that it is easier to learn and remember,
One example of chunking can be phone numbers. For example, the phone number sequence “6702432” can be chunked into 67-02-432.
Storytelling
Passing information to children in the form of a story is an effective way to help them learn, remember and process the information. This helps them remember details like the color of things, for example learning that strawberries are red in color.
Color coding
Color coding helps our brain create association between the color and the shapes of the letter or information. This method is best for children of 5 to 10 years.
Visualization
This is a powerful reading strategy for dyslexic people where while reading they try to visualize people, things, colors, clothes, smell etc. This is one of the best methods to learn information for dyslexic people as people of dyslexia process information in pictures rather than words.
mind maps
As people with dyslexia are great at visualizing, mind mapping is a fantastic way to learn and remember information. Mindmaps is also a great way of revising information
This is the best technique to remember long written work.
Mindfulness techniques
Some great mindfulness techniques like paying attention to experience and observing things in a busy environment, and feeling all your senses like touch, smell, sound, sight and taste, and focusing on your breathing can help reduce stress.
Final Words:
It can be stressful for children with dyslexia to keep up with their peers. However, we can help them lead a normal life with the help of effective techniques for children with dyslexia.