Early Signs of Dyslexia
1. Trouble rhyming. Research suggests that difficulty with speech sounds is one of the main characteristics of dyslexia. For a dyslexic child, rhyming or working with syllables is tough because they do not detect the component sounds in words, known as phonemes. This lack of “phonemic awareness” is a common symptom of all dyslexics, and teaching it is critical for their success in reading. A dyslexic child may find it hard to manipulate the sounds in words even though she knows the meaning. For example, she may say “pacific” instead of “specific.”
1. Trouble rhyming. Research suggests that difficulty with speech sounds is one of the main characteristics of dyslexia. For a dyslexic child, rhyming or working with syllables is tough because they do not detect the component sounds in words, known as phonemes. This lack of “phonemic awareness” is a common symptom of all dyslexics, and teaching it is critical for their success in reading. A dyslexic child may find it hard to manipulate the sounds in words even though she knows the meaning. For example, she may say “pacific” instead of “specific.”
2. Doesn’t recognize words accurately. The process of sounding out a written word is called decoding, and decoding problems are a key sign of dyslexia. A child may compensate by using context or picture clues to guess at words. For example, if the story shows a house, he may replace the word “house” for “home” when reading.
2. Doesn’t recognize words accurately. The process of sounding out a written word is called decoding, and decoding problems are a key sign of dyslexia. A child may compensate by using context or picture clues to guess at words. For example, if the story shows a house, he may replace the word “house” for “home” when reading.
3.Transposes letters and has difficulty decoding words. Another common sign of dyslexia is letter transposition, such as substituting “b” or “d” with “p.” Take special note if this occurs past the first or second grade.
3.Transposes letters and has difficulty decoding words. Another common sign of dyslexia is letter transposition, such as substituting “b” or “d” with “p.” Take special note if this occurs past the first or second grade.
4. Poor speller. Dyslexics often rely heavily on phonetic spelling, such as “complumnt” for “compliment.” Other signs include omitting or adding letters and spelling the same word in different ways in the same writing sample.
4. Poor speller. Dyslexics often rely heavily on phonetic spelling, such as “complumnt” for “compliment.” Other signs include omitting or adding letters and spelling the same word in different ways in the same writing sample.
5. Struggles when reading aloud. If a child is having a hard time sounding out words, not recognizing common sight words like “the” or “why” or is skipping small words, this is a sign of decoding problems.
5. Struggles when reading aloud. If a child is having a hard time sounding out words, not recognizing common sight words like “the” or “why” or is skipping small words, this is a sign of decoding problems.
6. Acts out at homework time. To avoid reading and the effort and embarrassment that can accompany it, dyslexic children often have trouble doing homework. They may become easily distracted, refuse to work, or make excuses, making homework take far longer than it should.
6. Acts out at homework time. To avoid reading and the effort and embarrassment that can accompany it, dyslexic children often have trouble doing homework. They may become easily distracted, refuse to work, or make excuses, making homework take far longer than it should.
7. Really bright in other areas, compared to reading level. Dyslexia is not linked to intelligence. It is an issue related to reading only, which is why it is common to see dyslexics excel in other subjects.
7. Really bright in other areas, compared to reading level. Dyslexia is not linked to intelligence. It is an issue related to reading only, which is why it is common to see dyslexics excel in other subjects.
8. Family history of dyslexia. Dyslexia is genetic.
8. Family history of dyslexia. Dyslexia is genetic.
Courtesy of Learning Ally