Dyslexia is a reading disability caused by problems identifying speech sounds and determining how the sounds relate to words and letters. This learning disorder affects areas of the brain responsible for processing language ⁽¹⁾.

In recent years, medical researchers have made significant progress in developing the best ways to detect dyslexia, such as through medical imaging.

MRI as a Tool for Dyslexia Detection

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical procedure used in radiology to develop medical images of the human body and its physiological processes. The procedure uses radio waves, strong magnetic fields, and magnetic field gradients to generate organs' images.

In 2013, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) published a study that used MRI to diagnose the reading disorder. The research involved 40 children who had their brains scanned through diffusion-weighted imaging based on MRI⁽²⁾.

Published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the study found a connection between poor reading skills and two language-processing areas of the brain: the left arcuate fasciculus and the parietal portion of the superior longitudinal fasciculus⁽³⁾.

The study's results suggested that dyslexia, which doctors usually detect in children around second grade, may be diagnosed in children even before they begin reading⁽⁴⁾.

In a 2014 study, researchers found abnormalities in dyslexic brains using three MRI techniques: structural MRI, functional MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging⁽⁵⁾.

Factors to Consider When Diagnosing Dyslexia

According to MIT's brain research arm, 10% of the US population is dyslexic⁽⁶⁾. The number highlights the importance of an appropriate detection plan for dyslexia.

However, there is still no single test to diagnose dyslexia. To know the best approach to detect the learning disorder, individuals must consider the following ⁽⁷⁾:

• Development, Educational Issues, and Medical History

  A doctor will likely inquire about your child's development, education, and medical history. The doctor may also want to know about other medical conditions in the family, including learning disabilities.

• Home Life

  A doctor may also inquire about your family and home life. They may ask who lives at home and whether your child encounters any issues with these individuals.

• Reading and Language Skills Questionnaire

  Your child may be asked to answer written questions to help the doctor identify their reading and language skills. Other family members or teachers may also be asked to answer the questionnaires.

• Hearing, Vision, and Neurological Tests

  Your child may be asked to undergo hearing, vision, and neurological tests. The tests would help the doctor determine whether a hearing, vision, or neurological disorder may be causing or contributing to your child's low reading ability.

• Psychological Testing

  Your child's mental health must also be considered when diagnosing dyslexia. Knowing the state of your child's mental health may help determine whether depression, anxiety, or other social problems are responsible for your child's poor reading abilities.

• Reading and Other Academic Skills Testing

  A doctor may ask your child to take educational tests to evaluate their academic skills. The tests may also help determine your child's reading level.

Parents play a crucial role in helping their children with dyslexia. Below are some of the things to keep in mind to help your child succeed:

References

1. Mayo Clinic. Dyslexia. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dyslexia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353557
2. Trafton, A. (2013). Brain scans may help diagnose dyslexia. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. McGovern Institute for Brain Research. Retrieved from mcgovern.mit.edu/2013/08/13/brain-scans-may-help-diagnose-dyslexia/
3. Saygin, Z., Norton, E., Osher, D., Beach, S., Cyr, A., Ozernov-Palchik, O., Yendiki, A., Fischl, A., Gaab, N., & Gabrieli, J. (2013). Tracking the roots of reading ability: white matter volume and integrity correlate with phonological awareness in prereading and early-reading kindergarten children. The Journal of Neuroscience, 33(33):13251-8. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23946384/
4. A., Trafton. (2013). Op cit.
5. Elnakib, A., Soliman, A., Nitzken, A., Casanova, M., Gimel'farb, G., & El-Baz, A. (2014). Magnetic resonance imaging findings for dyslexia: a review. Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, (10):2778-805. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25992418/
6. A., Trafton. (2013). Op cit.
7. Mayo Clinic. Op cit.