In general, researchers have been studying learning difficulties and people with dyslexia since the 17th century. Researchers originally thought that dyslexic people had some form of brain or nerve damage. In fact, during the late 1920 s, Dr. Samuel Torrey Orton redefined dyslexia as “cross- lateralization of the brain”. This meant that the left side of the brain was supposedly doing what the right side was normally supposed to do, and vice versa.
Today, several different theories exist to explain what dyslexia is and what causes it. Modern technologies such as fMRI Brain SPECT imaging have opened up the possibility for physicians to view the brain’s electro-chemical functions while a patient engages in reading and rhyming exercises. These exercises then produce an image “map” of the brain, highlighting strong and weak areas.
Technologies such as this have obviously contributed a great deal to our understanding of the physical components of dyslexia. But scientists look forward to using these breakthroughs as stepping stones toward the ultimate goal of correcting or compensating for the dyslexic condition.
The History of Dyslexia: The Timeline
Learning disability and dyslexia history can be traced back to the mid-1800s when scientists began discussing the existence of such phenomena. Though these afflictions were known, the term “learning disability” was not used until 1963.
Who coined the term learning disability? It was a psychologist in Chicago named Dr. Samuel Kirk. His work was centered around children with “minimal brain dysfunction”.
The term shifted the focus on language, reading, and processing of information.
Adolf Kussmaul 1877
Dyslexia was first referred to as “word blindness”. In 1877, the German neurologist, Adolf Kussmaul, called it “complete text blindness … although the power of sight, the intellect, and the powers of speech are intact.” These children who were otherwise very able had extreme reading difficulties.
Rudolf Berlin 1887
A decade later, German physician Rudolf Berlin first used the term “dyslexia” to encompass reading challenges as a result of a disability.
The Early 1960s
Interest in dyslexia waned for a number of years but came back in the 1960s.
Neurologist Macdonald Critchley and psychologist Tim Miles opened The Word Blindness Centre in 1962. The center brought together many researchers who had worked with dyslexic individuals.
Crtichley later published a book called The Dyslexic Child.
Consensus Definition 1968
Where did the first consensus definition of dyslexia occur?
In April of 1968, the first meeting of the World Federation of Neurology’s Research Group on Developmental Dyslexia and World Illiteracy was at a hospital in Dallas, TX. It was at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children that the first consensus definition of dyslexia occurred.
They defined it as “A disorder manifested by difficulty in learning to read despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and socio-cultural opportunity. It is dependent upon fundamental cognitive disabilities which are frequently of constitutional origin.”
The 1970s
In 1972, researcher Sandhya Naidoo published a book that was one of the first major studies of dyslexia. It was called Specific Dyslexia. Her book, along with Critchley’s, was a turning point in early dyslexia research.
Dyslexia Today
Dyslexic children as a rule experience reading and spelling difficulties but sometimes there is more to it. Motor coordination, organization and the ability to concentrate are often affected. These children may appear to be uncoordinated and unorganized.
Now it’s well known that there is no link between dyslexia and intelligence. There are many celebrities and famous people with dyslexia and learning disabilities who achieved great success. With the help of assistive technology tools, people diagnosed with dyslexia and other learning disabilities can adjust and lead normal lives
Awareness
Awareness and research are aided by the fact that there are federal laws that define special education services. Parents of children with learning disabilities like dyslexia have more rights to hold schools accountable to offer services for those students who learn differently.