Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects the ability to read, spell, write, and speak.
When children learn to read, they first figure out what sound each letter makes. For example, “B” makes a “buh” sound. “M” makes an “em” sound. Then, they learn how to put those sounds in order to form words (C-A-T spells cat).
For kids who have dyslexia, the brain has a hard time connecting letters to the sounds they make and then blending those sounds into words. So to someone with dyslexia, the word “cat” might read as “tac.” Because of these mix-ups, reading can be a slow and difficult process.
What Causes Dyslexia?
It’s linked to genes, which is why the condition often runs in families. A child is more likely to have dyslexia if the parents, siblings, or other family members have it.
Symptoms of Dyslexia.
The symptoms of dyslexia can be hard to spot until your child starts school. A teacher might be the first one to notice the signs, especially if your child struggles to read, spell, and follow instructions in the classroom.
Dyslexia symptoms change at different ages and stages of life. Each child with dyslexia is different, has unique strengths, and faces distinct challenges. Yet there are some general signs that your child might need some extra help in school.
- Complications with reading.
- Difficulty spelling words.
- Low Confidence or behavioral problems.
- Problems with pronunciation.
- Omitting sounds or letters when reading and writing.
- Complaints of headaches.
- Difficulty reading aloud.
- Confusion with the left hand for right and vice versa
- Difficulty with organization and time management.
- Inability to differentiate speech sounds.
- Difficulty repeating phrases or sentences.
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Treatment for Dyslexia
When you find out your child has dyslexia, you naturally want to do everything you can to help him or her.
One of the best ways to get started is to find out as much as you can about the learning disability. When you see just how much you can do for your child, it may ease some of your fears and guide you to make more informed decisions.
Make sure that these sources of learning are trusted, preferably recommended by your psychologist.
Next, you’ll want to work closely with your child’s school to make sure all the right services and resources are in place.
There should be a support team helping to create an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for your child.
This will provide classroom accommodations and extra support to facilitate learning. You could ask about the qualifications of the teachers to support your child’s learning and you may want to research schools designed for dyslexic students.
You could also research summer or weekend reading programs. The earlier you start, the better it will be for your child.
If you notice any of the signs of dyslexia, your child’s doctor can help determine whether there are also physical problems, such as vision problems, that are causing or contributing to your child’s condition, and he or she can refer you to specialists who can diagnose and treat learning disorders.
These may include an educational specialist, an educational psychologist, or a speech therapist.
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