Today, Nigeria joins the world in observing International Dyslexia Day, held annually on October 8. Experts are urging action to address the learning disability affecting reading skills in Nigerian children.
They recommend early detection and intervention to enhance academic performance.
“Dyslexic people may have difficulty processing and remembering information they see and hear, affecting learning and literacy skills,” explains the British Dyslexia Association.
Prof. Ifeoma Udoye of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University emphasizes scientifically proven methods to tackle dyslexia.
She stresses the need for awareness, citing millions of affected children worldwide. Early detection is crucial, along with monitoring linguistic development, observing challenges in connecting printed text to language, and considering family history.
“Dyslexia is not a disease, but a difficulty in learning to read, impacting a child’s capacity to identify and manipulate linguistic sounds or comprehend new words,” Udoye explains. One in five children have dyslexia, with 80-90% of children with learning disabilities being dyslexic.
Undiagnosed children face challenges, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. However, 70% of dyslexic children who receive educational intervention become proficient readers, revealing hidden talents.
Udoye calls for collective action from government, policymakers, parents, and teachers to combat dyslexia nationwide. Anambra State Governor’s Senior Special Assistant, Hon. Obiora Nwachukwu, praises event organizers and commits to addressing dyslexia in the state.
Ezenwanne Obinna highlights Nigeria’s dyslexia prevalence, affecting 32 million, including school children, with a 30-50% genetic inheritance chance.
He notes successful individuals with dyslexia, such as Richard Branson, Anderson Cooper, and Jennifer Aniston.
