Dyslexics who haven't got a very well balanced visual system, and not enough grip on text (0.4 Shifting Dominance) will also experience more Visual Stress when learning to read than normals. The extra levels of stress causes reactions in other parts of the brain such as the Hippocampus wich can lead to memory problems necessary for learning to read. So extra help is needed at early stages of the 'learning to read' process, to overcome anxieties that can interrupt their development.

With the help of specific exercises, it is possible to find the necessary 'peace of mind' and confidence needed for reading. By concentrating on text in a different way, interpreting letters and words in more form, shape or 3-dimensional way, and not trying to sharply focus.

Like riding a bike, one has to let go of concentrating on all the movements, interpret the whole activity (letters & words) subconsciously and focus on the road. By 'letting go' of sharply focusing and rather flow (gaze) over the text, it is possible stop the over active grip/balance seeking movements and improve their reading ability, some of these exercises are:

• Visualization of an imaginary focus-point, where the reader doesn't focus on the text, having a more gazing approach towards the text self. (See topic : 15.6 The Gift of Dyslexia - Ronald Davis )
• Body movement exercises like juggling balls creating a stronger balance on one side al-thus finding an inner-peace, when juggling one learns to focus on the global-ball-movement, and shutting him/herself of from their environment, no longer trying to follow the different ball's. (see: Juggling article )
• Vision Therapy, is a type of physical therapy for the eyes and brain, is specifically directed toward resolving visual problems which interfere with reading, learning and educational instruction. Optometrists do not claim that vision therapy is a direct treatment for learning disabilities (www.visiontherapy.org).
• The use of colors, separate parts of text are written in different colors. Colors aren't based upon alignment, this way a dyslectic can train to follow a reading rhythm, flow.
• Understanding of how a dyslexic thinks makes it more acceptable for his social environment. A good book on this subject is by Professo Bob Frank: Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child: How She Thinks. How He Feels. How They Can Succeed (amazon link).

Stress has it's effects on the body, one of it's effects is the production of epinephrine (adrenaline) a "fight or flight" hormone which is released from the adrenal glands when danger threatens. When secreted into the bloodstream, it rapidly prepares the body for action in emergency situations. The hormone boosts the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles, while suppressing other non-emergency bodily processes (digestion in particular).

Epinephrine plays a central role in the short-term stress reaction—the physiological response to threatening, exciting, or environmental stressor conditions such as high noise levels or bright light. It is secreted by the adrenal medulla. When released into the bloodstream, epinephrine binds to multiple receptors and has numerous effects throughout the body. It increases heart rate and stroke volume, dilates the pupils, and constricts arterioles in the skin and gut while dilating arterioles in leg muscles. It elevates the blood sugar level by increasing catalysis of glycogen to glucose in the liver, and at the same time begins the breakdown of lipids in fat cells. Like some other stress hormones, epinephrine has a suppressive effect on the immune system.

Serotonin is one of the primary neurotransmitters responsible for mood regulation. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in our brain and nervous system that help us to talk, move, breath, think, feel, and to exist. When we are psychologically distressed, our body experiences internal changes in normal neurotransmitter functioning and in various hormonal and intestinal behaviors. It is responsible for the following bodily functions: mood regulation, sleeping patterns, blood pressure, appetite, pain sensitivity in our lungs, brain and our hearts. A lack of serotonin in the brain can cause us to feel depressed, sad, sensitive to pain, insomnia and headaches, and can decrease our ability to concentrate.