The changes I want to see (3. stakeholder’s feedback）
This is the question I wanted to ask Dr. Jingjing Zhao the other day about people with dyslexia, and this was her answer，
Translated into English it reads：
Hello Yang.
I have received your question, and here is my response to
- What is the level of attention given to children with dyslexia in China?
The prevalence of Chinese dyslexia in China ranges from 3.45% to 10% in the 6-21 age group, which is a very large group. As far as I know, China is still relatively late compared to other countries in terms of research and publicity on dyslexia, but in Taiwan, learning disabilities were included in special education services in 1992. Other provinces, such as Shaanxi and Zhejiang, will also include learning disabilities in their support systems. For the time being, however, the compulsory education system in China is still a relatively low priority for people with dyslexia, but we are actively trying to develop and practice it.
- Is there any definitive treatment available?
At present, there is no cure for dyslexia, but there is evidence that with early diagnosis and support, the impact on a child’s life can be reduced. Some instructional interventions have a beneficial effect on the academic ability of dyslexics, but the nature of instructional interventions is to enhance problem-solving skills through intensive instructional activities that allow students to accumulate large amounts of reading material, which does not address the root of the core problem of dyslexia and lacks a certain level of expertise.
- Is there anything on the market that uses augmented reality (AR) to assist children with dyslexia in their learning?
There are very few examples of AR augmented reality being used to teach, mostly due to the lack of such products on the market. Currently, instructional interventions are the most commonly used interventions, whereby educators provide students with reading support to improve academic achievement by expanding the richness of reading materials, extending reading time, or increasing practice opportunities. These include computer-based interventions, story structured instruction, and word teaching.
- What do you think would be the effectiveness of an augmented reality approach to helping children with dyslexia learn by scanning books on their mobile phones? Would you have any concerns about this?
I think it would be very optimistic if the opportunity arose because AR is multisensory stimulation and that is the most effective intervention for dyslexia at the moment. As I said, the current interventions are all pedagogical, where parents or schools teach the students, but if software could be developed for children to learn on their own, it would greatly increase the enjoyment and confidence of the children. The worrying aspect is of course that this software actually requires a lot of experimentation and research and is difficult to produce; and if it relies entirely on AR, students may become immersed in it, which has a definite impact on the mind and body.
I hope this can help you.
Zhao Jingjing
Associate Professor of Educational Psychology
School of Psychological Education, Shaanxi Normal University