READING DIFFICULTIES IN MALAY LANGUAGE AMONG DYSLEXIC STUDENTS: CLASSIFICATION BASED ON LEVINSON’S DYSLEXIA SYNDROME THEORY

Dyslexia is a condition that causes individuals to experience difficulties in language skills, particularly in reading. This study focuses on the aspect of Phonological Dyslexia, which centers on extreme reading difficulties due to phonological impairments, specifically the ability to manipulate language. This research is a case study that employs qualitative methods for data analysis. The research methods used include literature review and observation techniques. The respondents consist of five dyslexic students aged between seven and 12 years from three primary schools in Perak. To gather data, this study utilizes three instruments: student feedback forms, dyslexia exercise books, and an audio recorder. Two short passages were taken from the dyslexia exercise book and given to the respondents to read. An audio recorder was used to record the reading of the dyslexic students. The reading errors made by the dyslexic students were analyzed based on the seven mechanisms found in Levinson's Dyslexia Syndrome Theory (1994). The results of the study showed that the errors made by the dyslexic students, based on the theory, include transposition, substitution, insertion, omission, reversal, condensation, and guessing. In terms of implications, this study is expected to contribute knowledge about the reading difficulties of dyslexic students based on Levinson's Dyslexia Syndrome Theory (1994).