«Early support is very valuable for further development»

Children who have major problems learning to read and spell often have a difficult time at school. The research work of Silvia Brem, who is also a member of the board of the Swiss Dyslexia Association, aims, among other things, to better understand the special features of dyslexia in the brain and to develop training programmes for affected children.

Interview: Stefanie Wolff-HeinzernPicture: zVg

Professor Brem, how does a reading and spelling disorder develop?
Dyslexia is a complex and heterogeneous disorder. Much is still unknown about its causes and development, but it is thought to have multifactorial causes. This means that various factors contribute to children developing dyslexia. On the one hand, genes play a major role: studies show that so-called candidate genes interact with other factors to influence early brain development and therefore also the formation of brain networks for language processing. Such changes in brain networks can in turn lead to language and writing being processed less efficiently. Other factors - such as reading socialisation in the family and general language development in childhood - also contribute to written language development.

Is dyslexia hereditary?
Yes, we know from many studies that children whose parents or siblings are affected by dyslexia have a much higher risk of problems in their written language development. 40 to 60 per cent of children whose mother or father have dyslexia are also affected themselves. In this respect, it is particularly important to monitor the children's written language development in such families and to support them at a very early stage if necessary.

Is it possible to recognise a Dyslexia problem at pre-school age?
By definition, Dyslexia can only be diagnosed when reading and spelling can be tested - usually from around the middle of the second school year. However, it is known that signs of Dyslexia can already be present at kindergarten age and affect the precursor skills of reading. Difficulties occur, for example, in the area of phonological awareness - such as in rhyming games or syllable clapping. Tasks in which children have to name objects as quickly as possible or their pre-school letter knowledge also have a predictive value for further written language development. Early assessment is particularly useful if there is an increased risk of Dyslexia in the family. We know from various studies that early support and encouragement for affected children is very valuable for their further development.

You can find out more about this topic in the «Kosmos Kind» lecture «Alphabet soup in the head» by Prof. Dr Silvia Brem on 12 April 2022 at 6 p.m. at the Foundation. For the child. Giedion Risch, Falkenstrasse 26, Zurich. Tickets at www.fuerdaskind.ch/vortragszyklus

Discounted tickets are available for Fritz+Fränzi subscribers. With the promo code kosmoskind-22 you receive a discount of 50 per cent.

Lecture series Cosmos Child

The Elternsein Foundation, publisher of the Swiss parenting magazine Fritz+Fränzi, has launched the "Akademie. For the child. Giedion Risch" has launched the lecture cycle «Kosmos Kind». Recognised experts address different aspects of childhood and convey them in a way that is understandable and relevant to everyday life. Fritz+Fränzi subscribers benefit from discounted tickets.rnrnAll lectures in 2022 and more information - please click here.