Understanding the causes and characteristics of students’ reading difficulties can help in identifying and supporting them, ensuring they receive the appropriate interventions and support.

Understanding the impacts reading difficulties can have on students' life is crucial for providing appropriate support and interventions to help them succeed academically and personally.

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Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a common reading disability that affects the ability to decode words, recognize language sounds, and relate them to written language (Mayo Clinic, 2022). It is often characterized by:

• Difficulty with decoding: Struggling to break down words into their component sounds.

• Challenges with phonemic awareness: Difficulty recognizing and manipulating the sounds in words.

• Reading fluency issues: Slow and laborious reading, often with many errors.

• Spelling difficulties: Frequent misspellings and inconsistent spelling patterns.

• Comprehension problems: Trouble understanding and remembering what has been read.

(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2020)

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Other Reading Difficulties

Other reading difficulties can arise from various factors, including:

• Limited exposure to language: Children who are not exposed to rich language experiences or who are English language learners may struggle with vocabulary and language comprehension.

• Lack of phonemic awareness: Difficulty recognizing and working with the sounds in spoken language, which is crucial for learning to read.

• Memory and processing speed issues: Problems with working memory and slow processing speed can hinder the ability to read fluently and comprehend text.

(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2020)

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These difficulties can manifest in various ways, such as:

• Word decoding problems: Struggling to sound out words correctly.

• Fluency issues: Difficulty reading quickly, accurately, and with proper expression.

• Poor reading comprehension: Trouble understanding and interpreting what is read.

(Hulme et al., 2018)

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Impact on Students

Reading difficulties can have significant impacts on students in various aspects of their academic and personal lives.

• Academic Impact

  • Lower Academic Achievement: Students with dyslexia often struggle with reading fluency, comprehension, and spelling, which can lead to lower performance across subjects that require reading and writing (Capin et al., 2022).

  • Increased Risk of Academic Failure: Persistent reading difficulties can result in repeated academic failures, which may discourage students and lead to a lack of motivation (Capin et al., 2022).

• Emotional and Psychological Impact

  • Low Self-Esteem: Struggling with reading can affect a student's self-esteem and self-worth, as they may feel inadequate compared to their peers (Kuracki et al., 2023).

  • Anxiety and Stress: The pressure to perform academically despite reading difficulties can lead to increased anxiety and stress, particularly during exams (Kuracki et al., 2023).

• Social Impact

  • Social Isolation: Students with dyslexia may feel isolated from their peers due to their difficulties, leading to fewer social interactions and friendships (Zhou, 2022).

  • Behavioral Issues: Frustration from academic struggles can sometimes manifest as behavioral issues, as students may act out to divert attention from their reading difficulties (Zhou, 2022).

• Long-Term Impact

  • Mental Health Issues: There is a higher prevalence of mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, among students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties (Deighton et al., 2020).

  • Reduced Career Opportunities: Persistent reading difficulties can limit educational attainment and career opportunities, affecting long-term socioeconomic status (Deighton et al., 2020).