word-blind
Letters become meaningless
Word-blind describes someone unable to recognize written words despite normal vision—a condition now usually called dyslexia or alexia.
The term dates from early medical attempts to describe reading disorders: The child was word-blind, unable to connect letters with sounds.
Though still occasionally used, it sounds dated compared to modern clinical terminology.
Neurological language impairment
- agnosiaInability to interpret sensations
- dyslexiaDifficulty processing written language
- acquiredCame to possess
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
lesion · brain injury · cortex · neurological · comprehension · impairment · reading disorder · anomia
Neurological condition affecting information processing
- phonologicalOf speech sound patterns
- decodingExtracting meaning from symbols
- reading fluencyEase of text decoding
- dysgraphiaImpaired ability to write
multisensory · intervention · tutoring · accommodations · assessment · diagnosis · special education · remediation
Unable to read
- nonreaderOne lacking literacy
- uneducatedLacking formal instruction
- unschooledLacking formal instruction
- innumerateUnable to grasp numbers
untaught · literacy · adult education · reading instruction · learn to read · literacy program · reading difficulties
Lacking any awareness
- unawareLacking knowledge of something
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- tone-deafCannot perceive pitch differences
- overlookingFailing to see or consider
dismissive · unseeing · inattentive · heedless · ignorant · unconscious · unperceptive · obtuse
aphasia
Neurological language impairment
- agnosiaInability to interpret sensations
- dyslexiaDifficulty processing written language
- acquiredCame to possess
stroke · lesion · brain injury · cortex · neurological · comprehension · impairment · reading disorder · anomia · cognitive
learning disability
Neurological condition affecting information processing
- phonologicalOf speech sound patterns
- decodingExtracting meaning from symbols
- reading fluencyEase of text decoding
dysgraphia · multisensory · intervention · tutoring · accommodations · assessment · diagnosis · special education · remediation · struggling reader
unlettered
Unable to read
- nonreaderOne lacking literacy
- uneducatedLacking formal instruction
- unschooledLacking formal instruction
innumerate · untaught · literacy · adult education · reading instruction · learn to read · literacy program · reading difficulties
oblivious
Lacking any awareness
- unawareLacking knowledge of something
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- tone-deafCannot perceive pitch differences
overlooking · dismissive · unseeing · inattentive · heedless · ignorant · unconscious · unperceptive · obtuse · indifferent