The website Children of the Code discusses some of the key contributing factors of dyslexia and other SLDs. The website authors divide those contributing factors into twelve categories: innate, parents, exposure, non-English, media, reading to learn, fault, dysteachia, training, resistance, thinking, and preschools. Dyslexia is caused by genetic factors in some students; this genetic difference is a key contributing factor of that specific learning disability. Additionally, there are a number of environmental factors that also contribute to and affect dyslexia.
In some cases, parents wait too long between noticing the initial signs that their child may be having difficulty in language functions and seeking outside help from professionals. There are a number of reasons why parents may choose to wait to seek help. Additionally, the educational level of parents can be an indicator of the level of success a student achieves during school. Preschool and early childhood programs can also contribute to dyslexia. The amount of exposure to reading and text that a child has can be a contributing factor; similarly, the increase in information being conveyed through visual and digital images can be a contributing factor as well. English Language Learners also experience an increased difficulty in learning to read a non-native language and understanding language. As children progress through grade levels, they are expected to read to learn new information; if the child already has an impairment in reading or other language function, this can be extremely difficult and frustrating for that child. The authors of the website also assert that there is inadequate training for educators, as well as incompetent instruction; additionally, the website authors detail that the resistance to change within the school system can all be contributing factors as well. Lastly, students sometimes feel like they are at fault or feel shame for not understanding or experiencing impairments in reading or other language functions. However, as previously discussed, it is not the student’s fault that they are experiencing these difficulties, as there are a number of genetic and environmental factors which contribute to and affect dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities.
Reference:
Causes and Contributing Factors. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://childrenofthecode.org/Tour/c3/index.htm.