What to Look For
What are the signs of Dyslexia?
A quick method of determining whether a more detailed investigation of possible dyslexia is sensible is to use an indicator checklist – such as the ones provided below.
Look at the indicators for the age of the person you are thinking about. Also look at the indicators for the younger child. Do these still apply? Did some apply when the person was younger? If several indicators are present, further investigation is advisable. If your family has a history of dyslexia it is more likely that your child also has dyslexia.
Signs of dyslexia in Preschool
- Have a history of delays in speaking, making sentences or pronouncing words correctly.
- Have a history of ‘glue ear’ or similar early childhood difficulties.
- Find it hard to remember the names of familiar objects, e.g. spoon, cup.
- Have difficulty learning nursery rhymes.
- Have other members of the family with similar difficulties
Signs of dyslexia in a Primary School child
A primary school age child may:
- Have particular difficulty learning to read, write and spell.
- Difficulty remembering sequences such as the alphabet and months of the year.
- Have difficulty telling left from right.
- Difficulty copying accurately from the board or a textbook.
- Have difficulty remembering and following oral instructions.
- Persistent and continued reversing of letters and figures, e.g. ’15’ for ‘51’, ‘b’ for ‘d’.
- Take longer than average over written work.
- Experience lack of self-confidence and increasing frustration.
- In other ways be a bright and alert child.
How to spot dyslexia in Secondary School pupils
A secondary school age child may have:
- Inconsistent spelling.
- Difficulty with planning and writing essays.
- A tendency to get ‘tied up’ using long words, e.g. preliminary, philosophical.
- A tendency to confuse verbal instructions, places, times and dates.
- Greater difficulty in learning a foreign language.
- Low self-esteem.
- Frustration which has led to behavioural or emotional difficulties.
- Disorganised at home and school
What are the signs of dyslexia in adults?
In addition to earlier characteristics, some of which may still persist, the following signs may indicate dyslexia in an adult:
- Difficulty with map reading.
- Difficulty filling in forms and writing reports.
- Tendency to miss and confuse appointment times.
- Concerns about training or promotion.
- Difficulty structuring work schedules.
- Low opinion of capabilities.
- Constantly loses and forgets items and information.
DYSLEXIA NEWS
Our latest thoughts
When Learning Feels Hard: Spotting Dyslexia Struggles
Two children can sit in the same classroom, hear the same instructions and be asked to complete the same work, yet experience learning in very different ways. Understanding this difference helps parents recognise why learning can begin to feel worrying for dyslexic children and how to spot early signs that they may be struggling.
Managing your dyslexic child’s wellbeing
Dyslexia affects 1 in 10 individuals, many are undiagnosed (or diagnosed later in life). We are determined to spread awareness of the learning ability so that more individuals get the help they need as soon, and as young, as possible so that provisions can be put in place to give a brighter future.
Dyslexia is a lifelong learning disability and it impacts how your child begins to learn and will further have an impact on their further education and working life. In fact, those with dyslexia face higher rates of anxiety and depression because of how it can impact day to day life.
How Can Artificial Intelligence Combat Dyslexic Challenges?
Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning are becoming a part of every day life. We look at how Artificial Intelligence applications and tools are dyslexic individuals to overcome common challenges associated with dyslexia.