Understanding Dyslexia
Understanding Dyslexia
Dyslexia is mostly seen as a difficulty with spelling - children can't retain their spelling words from one week to the next and can't spell when writing stories - not even the high frequency words. They struggle with reading and have great difficulty sounding out an unknown word despite being taught phonics. These children are bright and intelligent but struggle at school and its this unexpected struggle that sets children with Dyslexia apart.
Despite being smart they don't test well in school. These children are often labelled lazy and dumb and their lack of success at school effects their self esteem. They tend to zone out at school, have poor memory and have difficulty sustaining concentration.
Dyslexia tends to run in families and is common - 1 in 10 people have Dyslexia to some level. The Dyslexic brain is wired slightly differently and not everyone with it will have it to the same degree or exactly the same symptoms.
There are a lot of strengths that come with Dyslexia too:
- problem solving - artistic - mechanical
- creative - athletic - people skills
- 3D visual-spatial skills - musical - imaginative
Great careers for Dyslexics include mechanics, construction, hair design, graphic artists, engineers, architecture, teaching,
marketing and sales, real estate agents, carpentry, computing, interior design and photography.
Common Signs of Dyslexia
Common Signs of Dyslexia
No two people with dyslexia are exactly alike because dyslexia ranges from mild to moderate to severe. Some people with dyslexia also have ADHD. There are many warning signs that a child may have Dyslexia. For a more comprehensive list of warning signs and problems - go to Bright Solutions for Dyslexia click here
Younger Children:
Difficulty with rhyming patterns
Delayed crawling, talking
Reading, and Spelling:
Complains of dizziness, headaches or stomach aches while reading
Letters or numbers reversed or confused eg b/d/p/q, 13/31
Complains of seeing non-existent movement while reading or writing
Struggles with getting ideas down on paper
Poor reading comprehension
Spells phonetically and inconsistently
Writing and Motor Skills:
Trouble with writing or copying
Pencil grip is unusual; handwriting is illegible
Difficulties with fine motor skills eg. tying laces, doing up buttons
Poor sense of direction – difficulty telling left from right
Math and Time Management:
Has difficulty telling time, managing time, learning sequenced tasks, or being on time
Dependence on finger counting with math
Can do arithmetic, but fails word problems
Struggles with rote learning - basic maths facts, times tables
Memory and Cognition:
Being slower to process and needing repeated exposures to retain learning
Excellent long-term memory but poor short term memory
Thinks primarily with images
Other:
Organisational problems
Trouble following verbal instructions
Can be an extra deep or light sleeper; bedwetting beyond appropriate age
Mistakes and symptoms increase with confusion, time pressure, emotional stress, or poor health