The 4 differences between dyslexia and dyslalia

These two language disorders have many similarities. We explain them in this article.

We can say that language is one of the most important elements for the human species, because it differentiates us from other animals and gives us the ability to reason, reflection, abstraction ... in short, it gives us the power to communicate in a systematized and clear way with our peers.

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

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 give rise to several 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 the people who suffer from them and 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 is neurological in origin and is considered chronic (i.e. adults also suffer from dyslexia).

The reading skills of the person with dyslexia are well below what is expected for their level of intelligence and maturity level, and they may have great difficulty recognizing words in print.They may have many difficulties in recognizing words in writing. These difficulties may lead them to avoid pleasurable activities such as reading, or to avoid other activities such as studying, which is related to the academic difficulties they often present.

Let's imagine for a moment the objective difficulties that a person with dyslexia has to go through when studying for an exam or a competitive examination. How frustrating, isn't it, so 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 not good 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 phonemes, which consists of the child's inability to correctly pronounce the sounds of words (or certain groups of words) that would be expected for his or her maturity and intellectual level.

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

The most frequent errors made by a person with dyslexia during reading are: omitting letters and soundsThe most frequent errors of a person with dyslexia during reading are: omitting letters and sounds, moving the position of letters within a word, hesitating during reading or repeating what is being read... In addition, having a slower pace in the reading activity, they have difficulty understanding what they have read.

Typical errors of a child with dyslalia are: omission of sounds, substitution of some sounds for others incorrectly (e.g., says esa or gesa, instead of mesa). In the most severe cases it may be impossible to understand the child.

3. Differences in causes

The causes of dyslexia seem to be neurological with a genetic basis, while the causes of dyslalia are much more varied.The causes of dyslexia are much more varied:

• Immaturity of the speech organs
• Hearing defects that prevent proper pronunciation of words.
• Abnormal functioning of the peripheral organs of speech, being the most common reason. The most affected phonemes 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 at the child's home. In these cases the child's phonetics can improve with appropriate therapy, although it is true that this will depend on the causes of dyslalia. Usually the speech therapist will focus on exercises with the child to improve the musculature involved in the production of phonemes.

On the other hand, the treatment of dyslexia is usually psychoeducational and speech therapy. In addition to using techniques to improve phonological awareness, the emotional state of the child or adolescent should be taken into account, so that this disorder does not prevent him/her from developing a healthy self-esteem.

Summary of the main differences

• Dyslexia is a learning disorder; dyslalia is a speech disorder.
• Dyslexia is considered chronic, although it can be treated obtaining remarkable improvements and adaptations to the environment; dyslalia, with a good treatment in 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 psychological and emotional problems associated with it than dyslalia. Some people with dyslexia may have serious self-esteem problems and it can have lifelong repercussions.
• Treatment for dyslexia is usually psychoeducational, while dyslalia usually resolves with speech therapy.