What are the symptoms of dyslexia?
Dyslexia is often spotted when a child of normal intelligence has continued difficulty with reading, writing, spelling and sometimes simple maths. Common traits include jumbling up letters or words and frequent misreading. Your child may be slow at written work and seem uninterested in letters and words.
Many dyslexics also have problems with short-term memory and concentration. They may be clumsy, and not very good at organizing time. But there's no definitive diagnostics checklist for dyslexia as symptoms vary widely. However, they can all contribute to low self esteem and a chronic lack of confidence. A dyslexic child can very quickly begin to feel they're 'not as good' as their classmates.
This can also lead to behaviour problems at school and at home, which will usually improve once they get the right sort of help. On a positive note, dyslexics are also often very creative, intuitive and innovative thinkers who excel in the arts, design and computing.
Why does it happen?
The reasons aren't completely clear, but recent brain imaging tests have shown that dyslexics process information in a different way to other people. This brings about varying degrees of difficulty in learning when using words and sometimes symbols. Dyslexia can affect anyone, regardless of IQ and there are several genes that contribute to a genetic risk.
New research also suggests that reading difficulties may be due to some not-yet-understood brain malfunction. The theory is that some areas of the brain, which distinguish the tiniest differences between sounds, don't work very efficiently in people with dyslexia, which is why they run into difficulties.
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s. elliott, about 1 year
Good luck josh you are not stupid, my son is dyslexic and he is a bright and creative person. Heres a fab description i have recently found to describe dyslexics 'multi dimentional free thinkers' how cool is that! never let ANYONE call you stupid you are not and i wish you the best of luck with getting help at school. Tell your mum not to let anyone put her off getting help for you, cos they will try it. You have a right to a fair education and your mum has a right to get that for you. And remember dyslexia is not a problem if you are given the right support as you can learn to manage your strengths and weakenesses to reach your full potential.
Report this commentjosh mcmanus, about 1 year
hi my name is josh i am not sure yet if i am dyslexic,i am waiting to have tests through school my mum has recently picked up on it. i am a terrible writer,speller,and can hardly read,i get picked on at school they all say i am thick i do try but dont get anywhere,are these similar to the things that happen to you. please let me know , from josh age 12 years
Report this commentjocasta, over 2 years
hi again look i feel like i need to make the world understand about dyslexia as people are cruel. if any one could help me with this please please email me . thank you so much j.lee
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emma, about 1 year
i am finding my self completly lost. my son has sruggled all through primary school , he will be 10 in july he is 3-4 years behind his peers for reading,writing and spelling, yet his general iq ia above average for his age, because of this he has been refused for the forth time any help??? saying he does not meet the critera for classroom assistance, his confidence is quickly dwindling.. he is so interested in history and science and has a fanntasic mind . my brother was dyslexic, why am i banging my head againt a brick wall , school tell me the gap for his reading is getting bigger. please help i don't know what to do next !!!
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