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PSPKK12311 Comments

Signs of dyslexia

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Let’s uncover the signs of dyslexia.

So far we’ve addressed dyslexia myths and defined exactly what dyslexia is.

Read also

  • Busting 12 dyslexia myths

Here’s a quick refresher:

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability. It is “characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language and are often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.” (Source: Conquering Dyslexia, by Jan Hasbrouck)

Signs of dyslexia

(Sources: Overcoming Dyslexia, by Sally Shaywitz, Dyslexia 101, by Marianne Sutherland, and Conquering Dyslexia, by Jan Hasbrouck)

It is not a single sign that alerts us to the possibility of dyslexia; it’s the combination of multiple signs. Later in this series we’ll help you understand what to do if you suspect dyslexia.

Another important note is that the specific signs of dyslexia will vary according to the age and educational level of that person.

Clues to dyslexia in preschoolers

  • Trouble learning common nursery rhymes
  • Delayed speech
  • Difficulty rhyming
  • May have trouble learning the alphabet, letters, colors, etc.
  • Mispronouncing familiar words (persistent baby talk)
  • Difficulty in learning and remembering names of letters and numbers
  • Failure to know the letters in one’s name

Clues to dyslexia in kindergartners and first graders

  • Failure to understand that words come apart (not able to break words apart into syllables (cowboy to cow-boy) or phonemes (cat to /k/ /a/ /t/)
  • Inability to remember letter-sound associations (b represents /b/)
  • Reading errors that show no connection to the sounds of the letters (pig may be read as goat)
  • Inability to sound out even simple CVC words (big, dog, cat)
  • Complains about how hard reading is
  • History of reading problems in parents or siblings

Clues to dyslexia in second grade through high school

  • Mispronunciation of long, unfamiliar, or complicated words
  • General reluctance to read or write
  • Persistent letter and number reversals
  • Speech that is not fluent – pausing or hesitating often when speaking
  • Using imprecise language (“stuff” or “things” instead of the name of the object)
  • Not being able to find the exact word, such as confusing words that sound alike (such as saying tornado instead of volcano)
  • Needing time to come up with a verbal response quickly
  • Difficulty in remembering isolated pieces of verbal information
  • Very slow progress in acquiring reading skills
  • Lack of a strategy for reading new words
  • Trouble reading unknown words that must be sounded out
  • Inability to read small function words (that, in, of)
  • Stumbling on multisyllable words
  • Omitting parts of words when reading
  • Fear of reading out loud
  • Oral reading full of substitutions, omissions, and mispronunciations
  • Choppy, labored oral reading that lacks inflection
  • Better able to understand words in context rather than in isolation
  • Inability to finish tests on time
  • Very poor spelling
  • Trouble reading mathematics word problems
  • Messy handwriting
  • Extreme difficulty learning foreign languages
  • Lack of enjoyment in reading
  • Avoidance behaviors (often complaining of a headache or upset stomach in relation to school work)
  • History of reading, spelling, and foreign-language learning problems among family members

If you suspect dyslexia, don’t despair! Children with dyslexia CAN learn to read … and to enjoy it! In addition, people with dyslexia often display strengths such as the following. (Source: Overcoming Dyslexia, by Sally Shaywitz)

  • Curiosity and a strong imagination
  • Ability to figure things out
  • A good understanding of new concepts
  • Talent at building models
  • Excellent thinking skills
  • Ability to get the “big picture”
  • A high level of understanding of what is read to him/her
  • Excellence in areas not dependent on reading or in more conceptual subjects
  • Often especially emphathetic

I’d like to conclude with a quote from a parent of a child with dyslexia, as quoted in Overcoming Dyslexia, by Sally Shaywitz.

Don’t be afraid of a dyslexia diagnosis. Become empathetic, learn about it, do the best you can to help your kid understand, also, that they’re going to be fine. This isn’t the end of the world. Not only is it not the end of the world, it’s a great opportunity (for your child to learn to advocate for him/herself).

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Filed Under: Reading, Science of reading, Structured literacy Tagged With: preschool, first grade, second grade, third grade, kindergarten, Pre-K, preK

You May Also Enjoy These Episodes:

Why a skeptical balanced literacy teacher embraced the science of reading How to teach comprehension monitoring Fluency isn’t just about speed: A conversation with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck
5 Ways to build the alphabetic principle
Recommended Science of Reading books

Reader Interactions

11 Comments

  1. Linda

    June 19, 2022 at 6:02 am

    Thank you for these articles!
    As a child my mum knew there was something up with me and schooling, doing her own research she suspected i was dyslexic. She some to not only my teachers but also our family doctor. No one wanted to help, telling her i was just lazy. (I actually had a teacher call me lazy and stupid to my face in year 8).
    I was around 24 before i was finally diagnosed as dyslexic. If I’d had help in school i may have been able to get above c grades, but despite my best efforts c was the best i could manage except in the arts, where i averaged b or better.
    Thanks largly to my mum, i learnt to read very well, although sometimes i read to quick and have to re-read to understand the sentence. I also love reading and writing and in my adult life my writing has become so much neater.
    I’m now almost 40 and about to “go back to school” you gain my certificate IV in Mental Help and hopefully continue on in this line of study for the next few years!
    Something that was not seen as possible in my school years!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      June 19, 2022 at 1:15 pm

      I’m so sorry you struggled with this for so many years – what a hero your mum is! I’m so impressed that you’re going back to school, and so thankful that you’ve found a love of reading and writing in spite of your history! I do hope this series opens quite a few eyes. 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  2. Kea Aemaki

    April 4, 2022 at 8:08 pm

    Thank you for sharing the information.
    I have a child in my class that I have identify with learning difficulty. I didn’t know he had dyslexia but reading your email has help me to ready know this child. He is five years old.
    I would ready appreciate how I would help him in class.
    Thank you,
    Kea Aemaki

    Reply to this comment
    • Heather Groth, Customer Support

      April 5, 2022 at 7:52 pm

      It’s wonderful that you’re looking for ways to help him, Kea! Stay tuned for the rest of the posts in this series for advice and tips on what you can do!

      Reply to this comment
  3. e

    April 4, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    How do you teach a child that you suspect has dyslexia?e

    Reply to this comment
    • Heather Groth, Customer Support

      April 4, 2022 at 8:25 pm

      Keep your eye out for the rest of the posts in this series!

      Reply to this comment
      • Debbie Jones. teacher/playwright

        April 5, 2022 at 5:48 am

        As a teacher in public middle school retired now, I think the problem of reading across the page isn’t natural. When I retired I realized I was
        dyslexic. Amazing. A speed reading course in college had helped me cope.
        There I remember reading down the page. My peripheral vision is excellent.

        I also don’t think we’ll continue to read as humans. Lots of research here.

        Anyway the problem still exists for a child who is trying to cope ( and they try hard always before they give up). I knew how to read from left to right about 3rd grade. It dramatically slowed my reading/I stopped trying in 7th grade.

        Reply to this comment
        • Heather Groth, Customer Support

          April 5, 2022 at 7:53 pm

          Thank you for sharing your story and your unique perspective, Debbie!

          Reply to this comment
  4. Kim

    April 4, 2022 at 5:21 pm

    I’m thankful for the information provided since I seeing lots of these signs in my grade .very useful information.

    Reply to this comment
    • Heather Groth, Customer Support

      April 4, 2022 at 8:22 pm

      We’re so glad the information was helpful for you, Kim! Stay tuned for more information on how you can help those students!

      Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. Getting Tested for Dyslexia - This Reading Mama says:
    April 10, 2022 at 6:35 am

    […] may feel it’s best to wait until the child is older, but if you already suspect dyslexia based off the early signs you can see, it’s better to pursue testing or intervention while the child is […]

    Reply to this comment

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