As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the International Dyslexia Day 2024, experts have emphasized the importance of early detection and intervention to support children with dyslexia—a specific learning disability that primarily affects reading and writing.
International Dyslexia Day, celebrated annually on October 8, highlights its impact on literacy and learning.
According to the British Dyslexia Association, dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that hinders reading skills and the ability to process and retain information seen or heard.
Speaking at an event organized by Special Needs News in collaboration with Abuja Special Needs Therapy Limited in Abuja, the CEO of Special Needs Therapy Limited, Happy Maram shared evidence-based methods to address the condition.
Maram underscored the need for heightened awareness, noting that dyslexia affects millions of children worldwide.
“Early detection is key,” Maram stated, detailing methods to identify children at risk. These include monitoring linguistic development such as difficulties with pronunciation and rhyming, observing struggles with recognizing letters and considering family history, as dyslexia often has a genetic component.
“It is not a disease but a reading difficulty,” Maram explained, “affecting a child’s ability to manipulate linguistic sounds and understand new words.” She cited statistics revealing that one in five children have dyslexia, with 80-90 percent of children with learning disabilities being dyslexic. Left undiagnosed, it can lead to challenges in school, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.
Maram highlighted the benefits of early intervention, noting that 70 percent of dyslexic children who receive help in kindergarten or first grade develop proficient reading skills and discover other talents.
Ladi Patrick-Okwoli, founder of Special Needs News, called on government, policymakers, parents and educators to unite in creating and implementing policies to address dyslexia nationwide. “Many communities lack adequate support for children with learning disabilities. Our mission is to bridge that gap through awareness and training for families and educators, ensuring that every child receives the understanding and support they need,” Patrick-Okwoli noted.
She identified public figures such as Richard Branson, Anderson Cooper and Jennifer Aniston, whose success demonstrates that individuals with dyslexia can excel.
Parents and educators expressed gratitude for the training, with many reporting a greater understanding of dyslexia’s impact. “Before today, I did not know what dyslexia was or how it affected learning. Now, I feel more confident supporting my students and communicating with parents who might not understand why their child struggles with reading,” Jumai Makama, a local teacher said.
The event also underscored the importance of community partnership, with representatives of Lugbe Community pledging to support similar programmes. By fostering understanding and facilitating early intervention, this training marks a step forward in enhancing educational inclusion for children with learning disabilities in Lugbe and beyond.
Following this success, Special Needs News and Abuja Special Needs Therapy Limited plan to expand these initiatives to more communities, promoting inclusive education and improving awareness of dyslexia and other learning disabilities across Nigeria.
