What term did Dr. Samuel T. Orton coin to describe reading difficulties associated with twisted symbols?

Dr. Samuel T. Orton coined the term "strephosymbolia" to describe reading difficulties that resulted from the confusion or twisting of symbols, specifically letters, during the reading process. This term reflects the notion that individuals with this condition experience challenges with reading because their perception of written symbols is disordered. The name itself combines Greek roots that suggest the distortion of symbols, directly linking it to the difficulties experienced by those with this condition.

Understanding this concept is crucial within the larger framework of MSLE education, as it highlights the need for instructional strategies that accommodate the unique ways in which learners with this reading difficulty perceive written language. While developmental dyslexia and congenital word blindness both relate to reading challenges, they do not specifically address the aspect of "twisted symbols" that is encapsulated in the term strephosymbolia. Autoimmune dyslexia is not a recognized term in this context and does not accurately reflect the nature of reading difficulties described by Orton. Thus, strephosymbolia is the most precise term associated with the reading difficulties resulting from confusion of symbols.