Dysnomia

A learning disability which is relatively unknown is dysnomia. Dysnomia is a word finding problem. Everybody has sometimes that "tip of the tong" feeling when you can't find a word but you know it is somewhere there in your memory. It is therefore also called a memory retrieval problem. People with dysnomia often have an auditory memory problem. They are than not able to remember what they hear Some have a problem with remembering what they see or experience. We have several forms of memory

People with dysnomia are likely to replace even the simplest words with thing. " where is the thing that was just on the thing?" People with dysnomia are also likely to ask you to repeat what you have said so they have extra time to process it and to produce an answer or they use pauses when talking. Children sometimes use another word with a close meaning like fork for spoon or cat for dog.

Speaking is normal an associative activity. It flows. For dysnomics it is however a cognitive task.

It takes all their attention and effort and therefore they can't do talking and something else at the same time. When I am walking on the street talking to somebody I have no idea were I am going. I will walk of line. When I am serving coffee while talking there is a great change I will spill it. "Speaking is like driving in a dense fog, so hard do dysnomic people have to try to concentrate" says Lois Wells n her book "I'm not stupid ,Lazy or dumb; Aspects of specific learning disabilities".

With most people there is a balance between receptive language (the ability to comprehend, retain and integrate knowledge) and expressive language (to put it into words) In people with dysnomia the receptive language is far higher than the expressive language.

The opposite exists as well. (receptive language problem) There are children who have excellent expressive language and very complicated word use, whereas they have hardly any comprehension of what they are saying.

I have dysnomia and it affect my communication, even though most people don't notice the problem. Sometimes they just think that you are quiet. I have adjusted pretty well . The professionals write that you only have a learning disability when it interferes with normal life. In that case you could say I don't have dysnomia anymore.

I have developed coping strategies and I have a box of survival tools; People like to be heard so I am good at listening and reflective listening. I always use the same short stories to tell.  I grasp the essence from what people tell me but I am unable to repeat it. One reason for this is that I am slow in language processing and therefore I miss a lot of the information. Because my short term memory is bad most doesn't get stored or gets stored in the wrong place  and  can't be recalled. I am usually able to describe a word but can't often find the word I want so I replace it with a simple word. You won't notice that.

I am unable to tell joke unless I prepare them. That means I have to learn it by reading it plenty of times.That is because my visual memory is a lot better so I can compensate with it. I learn most words  by reading them but I am a very slow reader. My long term memory is good too although recalling from it doesn't always work

Language flows more easily when writing. When I speak about things I am excited about, than language seems to flow more easily as well . Not only the excitement helps but also because I usually have a lot of knowledge about a  subject I am excited about by reading about it.
I love writing because than I have longer to think, can make extensive use of dictionaries and a thesaurus.
Speaking two languages is an advantage because sometimes I recall a word in Dutch sometimes in English so I can translate them usually online. I use English being my second language often as an excuse to not to appear stupid.

The worst thing is that talking is hard work. I can have a conversation for about 2 hours depending on my contribution and than I get in overload. Suddenly the problem becomes a lot worse because I am tired. In general I start to be unable to think and when I don't retreat for a while I slowly fall apart.
Sometimes I work hard to keep going and at home than I have to go straight to bed to sleep for a  long time.

 I found this poem in the newsletter of the dyspraxia support group which explains dysnomia.

Have you heard of dysnomia?

It sounds so absurd,

When the voice of expression

It cannot be heard.

A paradox by nature

A paradox by name

Two incongruent behaviours

Just try to explain.

When excited and bubbly

Words flow like the tide.

When someone asks you a question

You just want to hide.

The names and the nouns

They play hide and seek,

Mid sentence you stop

Like you're losing the plot

You stutter and stumble

And come to a halt.

You freeze in time,

It's no one's fault

Try to capture the words

In a flash they are gone

The meaning is lost,

The conversation moves on.

So you never express

What you had to say.

Others do not seem to listen

What you try to convey.

So that is dysnomia

Do you understand what I mean?

When the voice of expression,

It cannot be seen.

Like with other learning disabilities, dysnomia can't be cured. It is a life long struggle. Support and understanding is therefore very important and some exercises can help to improve the mind, especially with young people. Here are some exercises you can do with children

• Improve their word finding skills by naming objects and pictures
• Describe something and let the child guess what it is
• Let a child finish your sentence
• Give a category and let the child name objects that belong to that category
• Let the child name opposites
• Ask the child questions so he will have to answer naming something
• Never finish your child's sentences. This increases frustration
• Give clues like; "It sounds like...., It looks like....., It is used to....." etc 

Exercises and working on naming I found on the net

Dysnomia forum

If the problems are very severe contact a speech and language therapist or your physician.

Be aware though that some physicians have minor or no knowledge of learning disabilities.

Be patient and understanding with people with dynomia. 

Last but not least. Dysnomia is only a part of me I am much more than that. I have coped very well after some years I work 3 days a week  in a job I love  Look at my homepage 
Here you can see that I love photography and eventhough I haven't much words I am able to write poetry and more. This is the same with anybody with dysnomia. They have weaknesses but don't forget to focus on their strenght and you might be surprised !!