Dyslexia is a condition that affects language processing and can make it difficult to read, write, spell, and speak. The signs and symptoms of dyslexia can vary from person to person, but some common signs include:
Preschool Children
- Delayed speech development compared with other children of the same age
- Speech problems, such as not being able to pronounce long words properly and "jumbling" up phrases
- Difficulty with rhyming words and nursery rhymes
- Problems expressing themselves using spoken language
- Little understanding or appreciation of rhyming words
Primary School Children
- Problems learning the names and sounds of letters
- Spelling thats unpredictable and inconsistent
- Confusion over letters that look similar and putting letters the wrong way round
- Confusing the order of letters in words
- Difficulty reading aloud
- Slow and labor-intensive reading and writing
- Avoiding activities that involve reading
- Difficulty following instructions
- Forgetting words
- Hesitant and labored reading, especially when reading aloud
- Misses out words when reading, or adds extra words
- Fails to recognize familiar words
- Loses the point of a story being read or written
- Has difficulty in picking out the most important points from a passage
Teens and Adults
- Difficulty with time management and organization
- Difficulty with reading comprehension
- Difficulty with writing and spelling
- Difficulty with math
- Difficulty with memory
- Difficulty with following directions
- Difficulty with staying focused and on task
Its important to note that dyslexia is a unique condition, and not all individuals with dyslexia will display the same signs and symptoms. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have dyslexia, its important to seek an evaluation from a qualified professional. Early assessment and intervention can lead to the best outcomes.
