alexia

Here’s the dictionary definition:

“A disorder in which cerebral lesions cause loss of the ability to read. Also called “word blindness.”

And here’s a definition of dyslexia, from that same dictionary.

“Impairment of the ability to read; incomplete alexia.”

So, if my understanding is correct, alexia is a loss of the ability to read, caused by brain damage (as opposed to dyslexia, which is present from birth and is caused by a miswiring in the brain).

Yours truly,
Kathy G.

Monica wrote:
>
> I’m an LD teacher in a small rural district in northern
> Minnesota. My neighbor has had her son assessed for special
> ed. services at least twice but he has not qualified for the
> LD program because he doesn’t have a large enough discrepancy
> between IQ and achievement scores. She recently returned from
> taking him to LaCrosse, WI to be extensively tested at
> Gunderson Lutheran. The doctors there told her he was alexic
> and should qualify for LD services that way. I have never
> heard of alexia, and when I did a search on the Internet I
> couldn’t find anything either. Can anyone provide me with
> any information? Thanks!

but having a label does not mean that he is eligible for Special Education. I do not know if this condition would meet the guidelines for a traumatic brain injury- which is another eligibility category and depends on the origin of the injury as it must result from trauma not a congential condition- but even if it does, he still needs to make the other two gates in the process- adverse effect and need for specialized instruction.

Robin