Understanding Different Types of Dyslexia: Rapid Naming Deficit

The signs, causes, and treatment of rapid naming deficit

Dyslexia is a common learning difference that is often misunderstood. For instance, did you know that children with dyslexia can struggle in different areas? These are known as sub-types of dyslexia. One sub-type is called rapid naming deficit.

What is it and what are some signs that your child may struggle in this area? More importantly, how can experts help your child learn to read like his or her classmates?

This guide will help answer those questions.

Defining rapid naming deficit

Let’s start by defining dyslexia in general. Dyslexia is not a problem with eyesight. It is a learning difference that affects a person’s ability to process words and/or numbers. They especially have trouble recognizing and using the individual sounds that make up words.

Dyslexia is not related to person’s intelligence. The difference lies in how the brain interprets and processes language. 

Rapid naming deficit – sometimes called rapid automated naming (RAN) – is characterized by difficulty quickly naming things such as numbers, letters, and colors on sight. It can take longer for them to name them in a row, which could be related to processing speed.

Another aspect of RAN is that it can impact reading skills, causing children to say the wrong word or create a place holder if they can’t retrieve the missed word. These children tend to fall behind in reading because it takes them longer to comprehend and retrieve language.

Causes of rapid naming deficit

Like most sub-types of dyslexia, rapid naming deficit often runs in the family. Some experts believe it is linked to specific genes that control how the brain processes language and reading. 

There are other risk factors of dyslexia:

• Premature birth
• Exposure to nicotine, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy
• A prenatal infection that affects brain development 
• Differences in the parts of the brain that allow someone to read

Signs of rapid naming deficit

There are several things you may notice that indicate your child might have rapid naming deficit, including: 

• Difficulty retrieving words even if they can describe the word
• Frequently substituting words or leaving out words
• Slow to respond orally
• Slower to finish writing or reading assignments
• Making up nonsense words in place of the real word
• Uses gestures or nonverbal vocalization in place of words

Getting the help your child needs

If you suspect your child may have some form of dyslexia or rapid naming deficit – or your child has been recently diagnosed – there is hope. Children with dyslexia can learn to read. By working with experts, your child will be taught different ways to process language so they will be able to read at grade level. 

Our revolutionary I3 Lab (Intensive Individualized Instruction) is designed to provide customized experiences to help children who are struggling with reading problems and deficits related to dyslexia. Our evidence-based curriculum includes a number of systems, such as the Barton Reading and Spelling System®, Foundation in Sounds^TM, and the Fast ForWORD® adaptive reading program.

Along with dyslexia, Fast ForWORD® can help children with other conditions including:

• Reading difficulties
• Auditory processing disorder (APD)
• Mild to moderate autism
• ADD/ADHD
• Other learning disabilities

Learning Lab Florida can help

If you’re in South Florida and your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia – or you suspect he or she might have it – we can administer Dyslexia Screenings in order to verify the condition. If there is a positive diagnosis, we can set up a treatment plan to ensure your child learns to process language and read more efficiently. Contact us to get started.