Chapter 1.

Introduction

Princeton University

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1.1 Severe Reading Difficulties: A "Specific Learning Disorder"

DSM-5’s new category, specific learning disorder, is applied to persons with significant difficulties in the acquisition of reading, writing, arithmetic, or mathematical reasoning skills. This video focuses on individuals with severe reading difficulties, often called “dyslexia.” The video showcases research into the process of learning to read, and offers insight into why some children have trouble learning this important skill. One part of the video shows a poor reader learning to read with the aid of a computer program. Because the child has trouble associating letters with sounds – a critical part of learning to read – the program uses repetition to help him associate sounds with letters. According to the video, brain research indicates that particular areas of the brain are responsible for associating letters with sounds.

1.2 Check Your Understanding

1.3 Activity Completed!