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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emma, 6 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]
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 !!!