Dyslexia: What is it? what are the signs?

So, you are noticing that your child is having trouble reading and understanding text. What next?


There are many resources that you can use to determine if the reading difficulty may actually be dyslexia. Often times instructional institutions do not move forward to testing until the indicators are severe. Let's talk about what dyslexia is and then move to the indicators and some resources you can use to determine if you need to advocate for your child to receive testing and supports.

Dyslexia is inherited and neurological which means that someone in the family also shares reading difficulties in a similar way. The neurological pathways that a dyslexic learner uses are very different in processing language, concentration, and perceptual development.

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Checklist of Indicators

• Difficulty unlocking new words
• Guesses at words or skips them, especially the "little" words
• Trouble understanding what is read
• Dislikes reading but may enjoy listening to a story
• Messy handwriting, has trouble reading his/her own writing
• Frequently spells words incorrectly
• Has a blood relative who has difficulty reading, writing, and spelling.
• Resists reading/writing tasks

Resources For You

There are resources to use like free Dyslexia Screeners that can help you decide if your next step is finding a highly qualified clinician to formally test for Dyslexia. There are specific testing instruments that clinicians use to make this identification and prescribe interventions for instructional institutions and/or highly qualified tutors.

Free testing and screeners:       https://www.lexercise.com/tests/dyslexia-test


Resource for advocacy:          http://www.dyslexiatraininginstitute.org/blog/
 Free Testing and Screeners:     https://www.nessy.com/us/screening-for-dyslexia/