The skill of reading can be quite complicated.  It involves doing a number of different things at once, all with precise timing.  Over time, people learn to read words automatically, and their focus turns to comprehension and retention of what they read.

However, for about 1 in 20 people in the United States, the ability to use an automatic pilot when reading individual words is not so simple.  People, especially children with dyslexia have trouble with phonemic awareness and phonics.  Basically, where children without dyslexia learn to read by associating certain sounds with certain groups of letters, dyslexic children simply have to learn to read using different methods.  The following paragraphs will try and show some of the common signs of dyslexia to look for, what researchers belief are the cause of the disorder, and what can be done about it by the individual, parents, and teachers.

Often the first sign noticed to indicate that a child may be dyslexic doesn’t become apparent until the child is in the primary grades.  However, there are a few indications that occur early in a child’s life that may be indicative of dyslexia.  Children, who begin trying to talk later than expected, may be showing signs of developing dyslexia later in their life.  Also, difficulty in recognizing rhymes, and adding new words more slowly than expected should pique your interest as a parent.

However, most of the time a children who is dealing with dyslexia isn’t recognized as such until they start trying to read in a school setting.  Usually it is recognized and diagnosed not because they show a lack of intelligence, but because their reading comprehension, and also their retention levels do not appear to be in line with other children in their age group.  It should be stressed, perhaps repeatedly, that dyslexia is not a sign of retardation, or stupidity.  In fact, part of the definition of a dyslexic child is one with average or above average intelligence.  Many of the most brilliant people in the world, including Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein had dyslexia.

So what should a parent or teacher look for in an elementary school child for signs of dyslexia?  For starters, look for problems with reading, spelling and difficulty learning new languages.  Also, look for difficulty in pronouncing longer words, or a lack of cadence when the child is reading out loud.  Children with dyslexia will also sometimes have difficulty learning alphabet sequence, colors, shapes, and numbers.  They also may have difficulty recognizing syllables in words, and certain speech sounds in words, such as the sound “bat” in batter.  Children with dyslexia will also often spend time sounding out simple words, and if they know that they will be expected to read, they will often try to “practice” their sentence prior to being called on in class.  Also, younger students with dyslexia will often show inconsistent handwriting.

While the majority of cases of dyslexia are noticed by alert parents and teachers in the elementary years, sometimes dyslexia isn’t recognized until a person is an adolescent or even a young adult.  If you suspect that a teenager or young adult you know might be dyslexic, here are a few of the common indications.

Older kids, teenagers and adults with dyslexia will often also read and spell far below their expected level.  They will claim to be a “bad speller” or “just not good with words”.  They will often avoid reading and writing, and if required to take written tests, they will often work slowly, through the test.  Also, if they are trying to learn a foreign language, they will often struggle with that language.  In addition, many older students and adults develop a number of coping mechanisms to deal with their lack of reading ability.  Remember, by definition these people have average to above average intelligence, and their coping skills are usually quite good as well.

According to the research being conducted, a number of things are known about dyslexia.  The first is that it appears to be at least partially genetic.  Children who have parents or grandparents who dealt with dyslexia will also be at a greater risk to develop dyslexia.  Also, children who are slow to talk as preschoolers are also at a higher risk.

Dyslexia is believed to be impairment in a brain’s ability to translate written images received from the eyes into meaningful language.  It is probably the most common learning disability in children today.  It usually occurs in children with normal vision and intelligence, and they will often have normal speech, but have difficulty interpreting spoken language and written words.

If you suspect that your child or student is dyslexic, the very first thing you should do is take them to your child’s doctor.  In order to formally diagnose this disability, a number of other possibilities must be eliminated first.  Dyslexia can only be formally diagnosed through a comprehensive evaluation by a reading specialist or psychologist, and the chance of problems with eyesight should also be eliminated as well.

Once it has been determined that a child or young adult has dyslexia, there are a number of specific things that you can do.  In order to help them succeed, things such as individualized tutoring, and a multi-sensory education program is essential.  Since their ability to comprehend the written word is hampered, other methods of learning should be explored.  Above all, though, it is important to remember that your dyslexic child can handle the challenges that they face with your support.

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