DEFINITION: A learning difficulty in children and adults who are intelligent, have no other limiting physical or emotional problems, but who, despite a conventional classroom experience, do not learn to read, write, spell and comprehend as expected.

CAUSES: Dyslexia is not a disease which can be caught, prevented or treated with medication. It is believed to be of constitutional origin arising from defect [s] in the transmitters of the brain.

MANIFESTATIONS: The most common manifestation is difficulty recognizing words. Poor oral reading characterized by substitutions, omissions, additions and reversal of sounds, letters, syllables or words is common. Contrary to popular belief, it is not always characterized by reversals of letters or syllables in written words. Dyslexics may have difficulty with organization [months, weeks, days or proper sequences], directionality [up-down, left-right, etc.] and in learning to tell time.

OTHER PROBLEMS: Dyslexia may occur simultaneously and in conjunction with other learning disabilities such as hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder or even retardation but not necessarily so. Lack of intelligence in any individual is not a symptom of dyslexia. As a matter of fact, the definition of dyslexia assumes adequate intelligence to learn.

INCIDENCE: Estimates of the incidence of dyslexia range from 2% to 30% of the population, the most accepted figure being about 10%. There appears to be an element of heritability involved and the incidence is greater in boys than in girls. This may, however, be only an appearance since girls tend to be less disruptive than boys and, consequently, are not detected.

WHAT HAPPENS TO DYSLEXIC STUDENTS? They are frequently not identified as such and struggle through school. They are often described as “lazy”, “not too bright”, or “slow” with those most severely affected being described as “learning disabled” or “stupid”. They are frequently caused to feel stupid or retarded and many lose hope or become rebellious.

CAN DYSLEXICS LEARN? Yes. They simply have to learn to cope with their difficulty and they learn somewhat differently. In the case of the Dyslexia Training Program, dyslexic children are taught by a teacher/facilitator using a series of video-tapes which were developed by the Luke Waites Child Development Center at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital which embody the Orton-Gillingham approach. The instruction is multi-sensory with an emphasis on phonics. A number of other teaching aids are used. The full course consists of some 350 hours. The program has proven highly effective.

CAN DYSLEXIC PERSONS SUCCEED? Indeed! They are not unintelligent and many have succeeded in all fields. They are often good at hands-on activities. Some famous persons with dyslexic characteristics include such as Thomas A. Edison, Albert Einstein, Gen. George Patton, Pres. Woodrow Wilson, Nelson Rockefeller, Bruce Jenner, Tom Cruise and Whoopi Goldberg.

WHAT DOES THE DYSLEXIA TRANING PROGRAM COST THE PARENT OR CHILD? The only responsibility of the parent is to transport the child to and from the classes. All other expenses are paid by the Masons of Louisiana with the assistance of their friends. If a parent or other relative or interested person wishes to contribute to the Masonic Learning Center of Louisiana to assist in defraying the cost of this program, such contributions are gratefully accepted.