Dyslexia is not a language based learning disability

I vehemently disagree with what Rachna Varia says in her video. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMKeefkPxxI

This video shares what dyslexia is, what it's not, and what needs to be done!

“Dyslexia is a language based learning disability that impacts phonological processing in reading…”

 “Phonological processing is the ability to see or hear a word, break it down to discrete sounds, and then associate each sound with letter/s that make up the word”.

My comment: Both the statements above are erroneous. It is PhD holders like her who write as if they are authorities on subjects that they know little about. This is one of the problems that hinders the progress of education. 

I have written many articles in my blog saying that dyslexia is not a language based disability unless of course, Rachna Varia thinks that English is the only language in the world. The late PM of Singapore,Lee Kuan Yew,  who was a dyslexic spoke 6 languages. All my dyslexic students over the past 11 years could read in languages other than English when they first came to me. As such, how can one say that Dyslexia is a language based learning disability? 

There are reports in my blog here which state that kids who learn to read in Italian are dyslexic when it comes to reading in the English language. As such it is not a language based learning disability.

Rachna Varia’s definition of ‘Phonological processing’ is incorrect.

Phonological processing is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds of spoken words. You cannot SEE the word, you can only HEAR it.

Phonological processing includes phonemic processing which is the ability of recognizing and manipulating phonemes in spoken words.

Rachna and many teachers have not grasped the differences between phonemic and phonics awareness.

Very simply put, phonics has to do with printed words. It deals with letters and various sounds represented by those letters. It is an academic skill. In other words phonics starts with letters first and children are taught the sounds that those letters make.

Phonemic awareness which falls under the umbrella of phonological awareness has to do with the oral sounds in spoken words. It has nothing directly to do with letters. It is a mental/linguistic skill.

Therefore phonics awareness is not the same as phonological awareness.

A simple way to differentiate the two is to remember that phonemic awareness and phonological awareness can be done with the eyes closed whilst phonics cannot. Phonemic awareness and phonological awareness deal with oral input whilst phonics deals with visual input.

I repeat ‘Phonological Awareness’ is the awareness of sounds only. It is void of print. No letters are introduced and no sound to symbol correspondence is taught.

Herein lies the problem with reducing the illiteracy rate. The PhD’s say that Phonological processing is the problem with dyslexics not being able to read and teachers believe what the PhD’s say and continue barking up the wrong tree. If you look for a solution to a nonexistent problem how do you reduce illiteracy rate?

NOTE: I do not like to use the word dyslexic kids. I prefer the term shut-down kids.