Dyslexia: What Parents Need to Know

Experts recommend that dyslexic children be diagnosed as soon as possible in order to receive the support they need. Find out what dyslexia looks like, how it is diagnosed, and which grades are affected.

Percy, a 14 year old Englishman, was a star in almost every area of school, except reading. Percy couldn’t make the words on a page understandable. Fiona, 7, who lives in Tulsa had similar problems. She couldn’t recognize simple words such as cat and the and cried every time she tried to learn spelling lists.

Although they were separated by an ocean, 123 years and two continents, both children struggled with dyslexia. Percy, who was diagnosed with “word-blindness” in 1896, was the first patient to be described in medical literature. Fiona was assessed in 2019. For Percy and millions of children with dyslexia in America, we now know a lot more than we did during Percy’s lifetime about how to identify it and help them become confident readers.

Research shows that it is important to identify the problem early. Special support for children in kindergarten is twice the effective than starting in first grade. It doesn’t matter how far your child is from learning to read, it is important to be aware of what you can do to help.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia, a learning disability that affects millions worldwide, is called dyslexia. Dyslexics have trouble spelling and reading. It could be difficult to learn a secondary language. However, it is not because of a lack in intelligence or knowledge. It is more likely that it is due to a condition or disorder that affects comprehension and processing abilities.

What does Dyslexia Look Like?

Many people have misunderstood dyslexia. They assume it is caused by vision problems. Or that writing letters backwards is the main characteristic of the condition. You can’t blame it on laziness, and your child won’t grow out of it. Dyslexia, which can be described as difficulty connecting letters to spoken language sounds, is simply a problem with reading.

People with dyslexia often have trouble understanding the traditional methods of teaching children to read, such as Bob beginning-reader books which focus on letter sounds and phonics worksheets for older children that help them put together words. People with dyslexia have difficulty breaking down words into their sound parts (phonemes), and grasping the fact that ph sounds similar to f.

Neuroimaging shows that dyslexic children’s brains are not efficient at linking how a word looks to its sounds. Neurotypical children rely more on their brains to process print on pages than the kids with dyslexia. Although these alternate routes may still work, they require more energy, attention and time than normal.

When can Dyslexia Signs be Detected?

Many people assume that dyslexia can only be detected once one learns how to read. However, dyslexia signs may appear sooner than they are recognized. Sometimes symptoms can be seen in children as young as 3 years old. Dyslexia can be diagnosed as early as 3 years old.

Difficulty rhyming
Trouble following directions, telling stories and/or reciting alphabet
Speech delays
Having difficulty to identifying the letters in their names?

What are the causes of Dyslexia? Is Dyslexia genetic?

Dyslexia, which is responsible for 80-90 percent of all learning disabilities worldwide, has a genetic component. Dyslexic children are more likely than other kids to get the disorder. It can also be caused from other factors such as fetal exposure at an early age to toxic chemicals and/or stress.

How can Dyslexia be diagnosed?

You are the best person to detect early signs of dyslexia before your child even learns their ABCs. Dr. Shaywitz says that even toddlers can understand words and the bat-sat rhyme by hearing the sound at. Dyslexic children don’t notice this connection so get help if your preschooler is having trouble remembering lyrics or rhyming.

Early elementary school children may complain about school, remote learning, homework, and reading aloud. As they age, they will have difficulty articulating unfamiliar words and resist reading out loud.

Teacher should be alert for any signs of dyslexia in your child. Schools are required to screen for dyslexia signs as soon as they can track reading progress. Contact the principal if your child’s school does not do this. It’s a good idea for you to contact the principal by email. You can also copy your child’s teacher so that you have a paper trail in the event the school fails to provide the support you need. Screenings are usually quick and check things such as a child’s ability of uttering nonsense words.

Sharon Vaughn, Ph.D. is a professor of special education at The University of Texas at Austin, and executive director of The Meadows Center for Preventing Education Risk.

However, schools don’t usually identify dyslexic children until they are in the third grade, or later. How is it possible that such a common problem can be so easily overlooked? Teachers often are not current with the latest research, and only one-sixth of general-education teachers feels prepared to teach students with mild-to-moderate learning disabilities.

A survey of 1,350 teachers from public schools in the U.S. found that the situation is easy to ignore.

What Dyslexia Treatment Options Are Available? How Can You Help Your Kid?

Extra support is available at school for dyslexic children. There is no cure and quick fixes are rarely effective. There are many programs and methods that can improve reading abilities for children with dyslexia. They all focus on teaching them how to read small words and how to break down larger words.

Schools and parents can work together to help kids get the reading practice they need and not burn out by spending too much time doing homework. Fiona was able to catch up with her classmates after she received one-on-1 reading help.

There are many laws in different states, so there can be confusion about dyslexia. The bottom line is that dyslexia is covered by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Some states also have more specific laws that define what rights children have.

Accommodations for children are usually defined in an IEP or a 504. This could include extra time for tests, verbal or written explanations, and one-on-one meetings with specialists. Dr. Shaywitz says that these adjustments are designed to allow students to demonstrate their ability and not their disability.

These legally binding documents are created by specialists, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders. Ask a friend or representative of a learning disability advocacy group to join you at meetings, take notes and answer questions.

Be aware that dyslexics can have other strengths, even if your child has been diagnosed. Research has shown that dyslexics are particularly adept at finding out-of-place things (many show greater activity in the brain that is related to quick surveying large spaces, a skill that can be useful for detectives spotting clues and astrophysicists locating black holes).

What are the Best Ways To Fight Dyslexia’s Stigma?

Schools and parents are reluctant to diagnose their children for fear of a stigma. Research by Made By Dyslexia, an advocacy and education organization, shows that dyslexic children often feel embarrassed or anxious because they are unable to do the same things as their peers. Four out of five dyslexics believe that understanding their disability has helped them to persevere at school and beyond.

Dr. Sally Shaywitz says that anxiety is caused by not knowing. It is important to explain to children that everything you have has a name and that many people who are extremely smart have it. Although you may not be a fast reader, you aren’t a slow thinker. Celebrities like Keira Knightley and Whoopi Goldberg with dyslexia can help kids see that there is hope for them.

Learn the Signs and symptoms of dyslexia at every age

1. Preschool

Inadequacy in understanding rhymes
Misspelling words

2. Early elementary school

Peoples complain about how complicated it is to read
Does it seem difficult to understand that words are not one and the same?
Can’t associate sounds with letters; cannot read common one-syllable word.
Reads too fast and becomes distracted

3. Middle and older elementary schools

You can’t pronounce unfamiliar or new words.
Avoid reading aloud
Doesn’t have trouble passing tests
Uses imprecise language (“stuff”) and “things”)
I can’t think of the right words (“It’s on my tongue”)
Does he have difficulty learning a second languages

Personal Opinion

If your child has Dyslexia, I recommend that to consult with a Speech Language Pathologist experts such as Speech Therapy Karachi. The experts can provide play-based therapy as well as augmentative and alternative communication for children with speech disorders.