6 Indicators of Dyslexia

20% of people today have a learning disability that impacts their daily life. Many of those people have dyslexia; whether it has been diagnosed or not, it can make learning more challenging.

Do you suspect that someone in your life is exhibiting signs of dyslexia? If so, you have come to the right place because we will fill you in on some of the main indicators of dyslexia.

Our passion is supporting people with dyslexia, and we want to be there for you. Read on now and find the help you need to cope with dyslexia.

Types of Dyslexia

There are several sub-types of dyslexia; one is phonological dyslexia (also known as dysphonetic dyslexia) when a person struggles to match sounds together or break them down to decode the words. Other types of dyslexia include:

• Double deficit dyslexia
• Surface dyslexia (dyseidetic dyslexia)
• Visual dyslexia

Each type has symptoms and signs that will be explored in a dyslexia assessment. Dyslexia also falls into a variety of categories, including:

• Secondary dyslexia
• Primary dyslexia
• Acquired dyslexia
• Developmental dyslexia

Primary dyslexia is a result of genetics. Below, we will detail the signs of this form of dyslexia because it is the most common.

1. Issues Pronouncing Words

One of the first indicators of dyslexia is challenges pronouncing words. A child can hear a word such as spaghetti, but they say something like bisghetti.

The difficulty is due to a delay in developing phonemic awareness skills. It causes difficulty breaking down words and learning their sounds before combining everything to form words. The issue with pronouncing words could directly affect a child’s ability to learn new words, putting them behind others the same age as they are.

2. Disconnect Between Child and Peers

When a child is not on the same ability level as others in their class, it can cause a disconnect between them and other children. They might realize that they learn slower and are not understanding concepts as quickly as others. Thus, they pull back from interactions out of embarrassment or lack of support to avoid dealing with potentially hurtful situations.

3. Making Consistent Spelling or Reading Errors

When someone has dyslexia, the way words appear and sound to them drastically differs from how it appears and sounds to others. Because things are different, it leads to an increase in spelling and reading errors.

These errors can occur continuously and, without the proper academic support, can keep a child from succeeding. However, with help from experts, your child can learn valuable tools to make those skills easier to recall.

4. Challenges Acquiring New Skills

When a child has dyslexia, they struggle to connect letters, sounds, and words. They may also need help with recall and memorization.

Taking on and learning new skills means learning them and understanding how things should be applied, which may be challenging for students with dyslexia.

5. Decreased Fine Motor Skills

If your child has dyslexia, the last thing you might have considered a sign of the disability is a decrease or lack of fine motor skills. If your child is of school age, they may have challenges holding pencils or other items that must be gripped correctly.

Watching them write, they might hold the pencil using a fist or hook their thumb over their other fingers. Tasks that involve the activation of the cerebellum are usually affected. It may also mean your child has difficulty with their posture and balance.

6. Avoiding Activities Where Reading is Needed

Much like avoiding peer group situations, your child will want to avoid putting themselves in a position where their reading struggles are evident. This means they will avoid reading at all costs.

While some may not be able to read at all, others struggle with each word making it slow and laborious. This is because they first have to decode the word and string all the letters together to determine the sound before reciting the words out loud.

Indicators of Dyslexia: Understanding Dyslexia & Finding Help

When it comes to ensuring your child receives the help they need and deserve, it is crucial to understand the indicators of dyslexia. Several sub-types come with signs and symptoms you want to learn about.

The bottom line is that to help your child with academic success; your child will need help. Contact Read Academy and let us help provide your child with the support they need to be more confident in and out of the classroom.