The 4 differences between dyslexia and dyslalia

We can affirm that language is one of the most important elements for the human species, since It differentiates us from other animals and gives us the ability to reason, reflect, abstraction.. In short, it gives us the power to communicate systematically and clearly with our peers.

Another great advantage that humans have is the possibility of transmitting that language in writing, with the so that it lasts in time and allows future generations to learn about our mistakes and hits. But no one said that this was going to be easy: there are certain learning and speech disorders that can compromise the normal development of a child in linguistic terms.

In this article we are going to talk about the most common learning disorder in children -dyslexia- and one of the most well-known speech disorders, dyslalia.. The manifestations of dyslexia and dyslalia in children can lead to various confusions, which we will try to clear up with this article.

Main differences between dyslexia and dyslalia

The main differences between these two disorders, dyslexia and dyslalia, lie in their definition, their causes, the most frequent mistakes made by people who suffer from them and in their treatment.

1. Differences in definition

Dyslexia, with a prevalence in the school population of 3-10%is a learning disorder with reading difficulties that has a neurological origin and is considered chronic (that is, adults also suffer from dyslexia).

The reading skills of the person with dyslexia are far below what is expected for their level of intelligence and maturity level, and they can present many difficulties to recognize words at a written level. These difficulties can lead them to avoid activities as pleasant as reading, or to avoid other activities such as studying, which is related to academic difficulties that frequently present.

Imagine for a moment the objective difficulties that a person with dyslexia has to go through who is studying for an exam or public examinations. How frustrating, right? That is why it is common for people with dyslexia who do not know they have it to feel hopeless, sad, with feelings of worthlessness, thinking that they are useless for what they are doing, and so on.

Unlike dyslexia, dyslalia is a phonological speech disorder and is not usually chronic. It is considered the most common speech disorder in children under 5 years of age. It is an alteration in the correct articulation of the phonemes, which consists in the inability of the minor to pronounce correctly the sounds of the words (or of certain groups of words) that would be expected for their maturational level and intellectual.

2. Differences in the most typical errors of dyslexia and dyslalia

The most frequent mistakes that a person with dyslexia makes when reading are: omitting letters and sounds, move the position of letters within a word, hesitate while reading or repeat what is being reading... In addition, having a slower pace in reading activity, they have difficulty understanding what they have read.

The typical errors of a child with dyslalia are: omission of sounds, substitution of some for others incorrectly (p. eg, says esa or gesa, instead of table). In the most severe cases it may be impossible to understand the child.

3. Differences in their causes

The causes of dyslexia appear to be neurological and genetically based, while the causes of dyslalia are much more varied, and the following stand out:

• Immaturity of the organs of speech
• Hearing defects that prevent proper pronunciation of words
• Abnormal functioning of the peripheral organs of speech, being the most common reason. The phonemes that are most affected are: r, s, z, l, k and ch.
• Insufficient education or unfavorable family environment for the child
• Defects of the organs involved in speech (labial, dental, palatal, lingual, mandibular and nasal).

4. Differences in treatment

These two disorders also differ qualitatively in the way they are treated.. In dyslalia, it is best to prevent and intervene early through a speech therapist and support exercises in the child's home. In these cases, the child's phonetics can improve with adequate therapy, although it is true that this will depend on the causes of the dyslalia. Usually the speech therapist will focus on performing exercises with the child in order to improve the muscles involved in the production of phonemes.

On the other hand, the treatment of dyslexia is usually psycho-pedagogical and speech therapy. Apart from using techniques to improve phonological awareness, the state must be taken into account emotional state of the minor or adolescent, with the aim that this disorder does not prevent him from developing a healthy self-esteem.

Summary of the main differences

• Dyslexia is a learning disorder; dislalia is a speech disorder.
• Dyslexia is considered chronic, although it can be treated by obtaining notable improvements and adaptations to the environment; dyslalia, with good treatment on time, is not chronic.
• The causes of dyslexia are neurological; those of dyslalia are more varied (evolutionary or physiological, audiogenic, functional, organic).
• Dyslexia has more associated psychological and emotional problems than dyslalia. Some people with dyslexia can have serious self-esteem problems and it can affect them throughout life.
• Treatment for dyslexia is usually psychopedagogical, while dyslalia usually remits with speech therapy work.