Background: Dyslexia is the most common learning disorder. Usually it is associated with cognitive processing dysfunction, Association of dyslexia and developmental co-ordination disorder is frequent, and has been studied for quite long of time, about 50% of dyslexic children has to have Motor co-ordination problems disorder and behavioral disorders. Dyslexia negatively influences the child-mother relationship causing maternal stress and parenting dysfunction that threatens the family compliance and cohesion.
Aim of the study: Was to assess the neurological, cognitive and behavioral associated problems and their parental stress.
Methodology: Thirty children with dyslexia (20 boys and 10 girls) aging between 8-13 years old and their mothers were involved in the study were collected from learning rehabilitation unit in the special needs children center. All the children were subjected to quick neurological screening, cognitive processing and behavioral problems assessment. All the mothers were subjected to parental stress assessment.
Results: The showed that 83.3% of the children have motor coordination problems, 50% have cognitive processing dysfunction, particularly weakness in planning and visual-spatial related skills, 80% of the children have at least one co-morbid behavioral disorder, the commonest being depression and anxiety, with girls having higher levels of depression than the boys, moreover, there was statistically significant incompetency regarding social and sports related activities. Regarding the mothers, 90% had extremely high level of parental stress which is more related to their children behavioral problems and characteristics and also mother characteristics .
Conclusion: From this study, it has been concluded that dyslexia is a disabling disorder associated with coordination problems, cognitive processing dysfunction and seriously compromises the child's overall behavioral aspects and social competency. In addition, dyslexia is considered as a major stress factor negatively affecting the child/mother parenting interaction.