Dyslexia

 

Dyslexia simply put is a condition that causes difficulty in reading that is unrelated to a person’s intelligence.  According to The International Dyslexia Association,

Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms, which result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can change at different stages in a person’s life. It is referred to as a learning disability because dyslexia can make it very difficult for a student to succeed academically in the typical instructional environment, and in its more severe forms, will qualify a student for special education, special accommodations, or extra support services.

DISCLAIMER:  No two dyslexic students have exactly the signs or symptoms or responds to remediation in exaclty the same way.  People with dyslexia are on a spectrum and often have additional conditions that impact them.  The following is generalized information and some students have a few of the signs while others have many.   As a tutor, I do an informal assessment to identify what the child knows prior to beginning tutoring.  A comprehensive evaluation is important to determine underlining factors.

 

From the National Center for Learning Disablities

What Are the Warning Signs of Dyslexia?

The following are common signs of dyslexia in people of different ages. If you or someone you know displays these signs, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a learning disability. But if troubles continue over time, consider testing for dyslexia.

Dyslexia: Warning Signs By Age

Young Children

Trouble With:

  • Recognizing letters, matching letters to sounds and blending sounds into speech
  • Pronouncing words, for example saying “mawn lower” instead of “lawn mower”
  • Learning and correctly using new vocabulary words
  • Learning the alphabet, numbers, and days of the week or similar common word sequences
  • Rhyming

School-Age Children

Trouble With:

  • Mastering the rules of spelling
  • Remembering facts and numbers
  • Handwriting or with gripping a pencil
  • Learning and understanding new skills; instead, relying heavily on memorization
  • Reading and spelling, such as reversing letters (d, b) or moving letters around (left, felt)
  • Following a sequence of directions
  • Trouble with word problems in math

Teenagers and Adults

Trouble With:

  • Reading at the expected level
  • Understanding non-literal language, such as idioms, jokes, or proverbs
  • Reading aloud
  • Organizing and managing time
  • Trouble summarizing a story
  • Learning a foreign language
  • Memorizing

More details on Warning Signs can be found at:

http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/common-dyslexia-symptoms-warning-signs-in-children-in-grades-3-8

and

http://www.interdys.org/ewebeditpro5/upload/DyslexiaBasicsREVMay2012.pdf

 

Accommodations for Dyslexia – coming soon

 

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