Most kids are able to start reading and writing in kindergarten or first grade. If you’re feel that your child is struggling to make progress with those skills, talk to your pediatrician about getting them tested. Some signs to look out for in preschool-aged kids include mispronouncing common words, struggling to name familiar objects, and having difficulty learning simple songs and rhymes. Try not to worry! All kids learn at their own pace. And if your child is diagnosed with dyslexia, rest assured that there are lots of treatments and interventions available to help them become successful learners.
For example, someone with dyslexia might often confuse similar-looking letters (like “d” and “b”), mix up the order of letters in a word, or have trouble remembering which letters make which sounds. Kids in the K-2nd grade age range (around 5-7) may have trouble learning the names of letters or remembering the sounds they make. They may also struggle to remember common spelling rules. [4] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source Older kids (3rd grade and up) may have difficulty spelling consistently, and may even spell the same word several different ways within the same writing assignment. Teens and tweens with dyslexia also have a hard time remembering common abbreviations.
For example, you might have your child read a page from a picture book, then ask them questions like, “What was the bear looking for? What did he do when he heard people talking inside the tent?” This may become more obvious in older kids and adults. For example, teens and tweens with dyslexia often have an easier time answering questions about text if someone reads it out loud to them. [6] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source
Writing letters or numbers backwards, especially after age 7 (letter reversals are normal in younger kids) Difficulty writing down things that you can easily say out loud Poor handwriting skills Needing lots of extra time to complete writing tasks Trouble copying out written words or phrases Using an awkward or unusual pencil grip while writing[8] X Research source
Often struggling to find the right word Mixing up words that sound similar (like “expect” and “aspect”) Trouble pronouncing long words correctly Jumbling up syllables or word order[10] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
For instance, a preschool or kindergarten-aged child might have a hard time remembering the order of the numbers 1-10 or how to sing the alphabet song. [12] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source Or, you might have trouble completing a task because you can’t remember the basic sequence of actions you need to do. [13] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Writing letters and numbers backwards Reading in the wrong direction (e. g. , trying to read English words from right to left instead of left to right) Having a difficult time following directions or reading maps Trouble with skills such as dancing, tying shoes, or playing sports
These problems don’t just affect kids with dyslexia. If you’re an adult or teen struggling with the frustrations of undiagnosed dyslexia, you may find yourself feeling depressed, anxious, isolated, or stressed. It can be upsetting to think that dyslexia might be causing these symptoms. However, once you know if dyslexia is the culprit, you’ll have made a big step towards feeling more in control and less stressed out!
If you’re an adult and you think you might have dyslexia, try this short screener from ADDitude Magazine: https://www. additudemag. com/dyslexia-symptoms-test-adults/ The International Dyslexia Association also offers a short screening test for adults: https://dyslexiaida. org/dyslexia-test/ You can find online screening tests for your child or yourself at https://learningally. org/Dyslexia/Dyslexia-Test
The doctor might ask you questions about your family history, home life, and educational background. If you’re interested in having your child tested for dyslexia, the doctor may ask if they can exchange information with your child’s teachers or your school psychologist. If you think you or a family member has dyslexia, don’t wait to get it checked out! Although you can benefit from treatments and interventions at any age, dyslexia interventions are most successful when they’re started as early as possible. [17] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Vision problems, such as nearsightedness, which might make reading and writing difficult Difficulty hearing or understanding auditory (heard) information Other learning disabilities or neurological disorders, such as ADHD
Your doctor might recommend a mental health screening based on your answers to their questions about your home life or health history.
Phonological awareness tests, such as the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP). These tests check your ability to understand the sounds of your language and how they relate to written symbols or words. [21] X Research source Decoding tests, like the Test of Word Reading Efficiency-2. These tests check how quickly and accurately you can recognize and read written words. Comprehension and fluency tests, such as the Gray Oral Reading Tests. These tests look for your ability to accurately read passages out loud and understand or recall information from the text. Rapid naming tests, like the Rapid Automized Naming Test, in which you or your child will be asked to quickly name familiar objects or symbols.
If your child was diagnosed with dyslexia, work with their teachers to develop a specialized education plan. This might involve one-on-one tutoring with specialists (such as speech-language pathologists or reading teachers) and special accommodations, such as extra time on tests or use of assistive technology. If you’re an adult with dyslexia, your doctor can help you work with your employer to get any special accommodations you might need to be more successful on the job.
