Signs of Dyslexia: Have a Hunch & Need a Quick Check List?
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Here is a quick checklist for those who feel they need to know what to look for.
During my research on dyslexia as a mom on a quest, I came across a common thread of signs to be on the lookout for catching dyslexia early. To our surprise, our almost 7-year-old had none of the early signs for the younger group, yet hit a brick wall in first grade when he turned 7. It was as if all the symptoms appeared in a few months period.
If you are in search of a quick check list:
For younger children ages 3-7:
– Trouble with nursery rhymes
– Do not recognize rhyming patterns
– Cannot learn or remember names of the letters in the alphabet
– Mispronounce familiar words
– Do not understand that words come apart
– Do not associate letters with sounds
– Difficulty blending in sounds in words; t-a-p: tap
– Difficulty separating sounds in simple words; cat: c-a-t
– Trouble learning rote information; days of the week, months of the year
– Cannot sound out simple words; dog or big
For older children ages 7 and older:
– Reverse letters; b / d, w / m, p / q
– Reverse words; pit vs tip, on vs no
– Cannot read new words
– Memorize text rather than reading
– Substitute words while reading; dog vs puppy, ship vs boat
– Confuse words that sound or look similar such as “smell and small” or “kick and lick”
– Difficulty memorizing rote information
– Do not advance in reading skills
– Complains about how hard reading is
– Avoid reading aloud
– Have a messy handwriting and poor spelling
In addition:
– Show low self-esteem and confidence in spite of being bright
– Resist to attending school
– Have family members with reading problems
