Is your child dyslexic?

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It can take some years at school before a child, struggling with reading and writing, may be diagnosed as having dyslexia. Early diagnosis can mean essential extra learning support is made available through school.

If you're concerned that dyslexia is an issue for your child, The British Dyslexia Association offers some guidance on warning signs to look out for:

Pre-school children may regularly jumble phrases, such as saying 'cobbler's club' instead of 'toddler's club'. The child's speech development may have been later than expected and they may have difficulty learning nursery rhymes or remembering words for known objects, such as table or chair.
As well as language difficulties, children with dyslexia sometimes skip crawling and are bottom shufflers or tummy wrigglers who move straight to walking. They may have difficulty with co-ordination, clapping in rhythm and be deemed clumsy, often tripping, falling and bumping into things.
At primary school age, dyslexia can be characterised by letters and figures being put the wrong way round, difficulty remembering the alphabet, confusing letters 'b' and 'd' and words such as 'no' and 'on'.
Poor concentration is also a marker, as is the need to use fingers or marks on paper to make simple calculations.
Other difficulties may include tying shoelaces, determining left from right and days of the week.

Without help, dyslexia can lead to lack of confidence and low self-esteem.

More help and advice

- A medical explanation of dyslexia
- Your story: Sally always takes her dyslexia on the chin
- Expert advice on living with dyslexia

Get more information

Read our article on dyslexia in children to find out more and to discover what you can do to help.
Contact The British Dyslexia Association, 98 London Road, Reading RG1 5AU, or log on to their official site at www.bdadyslexia.org.uk.

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