DYSLEXIA SYMPTOMS

From Jill M. Ham, Ed.S. Educational Consultant and Dyslexia Expert from Children’s Dyslexia Center of Georgia

Jill list many of the symptoms that might indicate you want to learn more about dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), and/or dyscalculia (math).

Reading
#1 Issue: CAN read fluently due to memorizing SIGHT WORDS, but cannot decode unfamiliar words, spell correctly, or write complete sentences with punctuation.
• Reading is slow and choppy, not fluent, but reader can re-tell story
• Reading is fast and fluent, but can not recall the information read
• Struggles with attaching the correct sound to the correct letter
• Will say the individual sounds r-a-t but can not tell you the word at the end of sounding it out
• Will say the letter name instead of the sound when trying to sound out a word
• Can not remember the same words on the next page when reading a book that repeats
• Cannot decode unfamiliar words that they have not memorized
• Skips words when reading
• Omits words when reading
• Inserts words that look visually similar, for example instead of reading HOSE it would be HORSE or HOUSE
• Avoids reading and will always check to see how many pages are in the book first
• Eye Sight is Fine, but Vision Therapy May Be Recommended

Writing
• Handwriting is tiny, small, large, and changes size
• Writing takes a very long time to due and very laborious
• Always struggled with writing letters in a fluid motion, many children draw their letters with circles and sticks
• Has a hard time copying notes from the classroom teacher or white board
• Phonetically Spells words (missing vowels or silent letters)
• Struggled or still struggles writing the alphabet without hesitations (hesitations occur when the writer pauses or has to stop and think which letter or how to form the letter)
• Will inverse letters when writing (writing letters from the bottom to top, instead of top down)
• Will reverse letters: d, b, p, q, z and many times write a j for g and a g for j
• Struggled or still struggles with remembering the difference between: b, d, p and sometimes m and w or n and u and we typically see the j and z reversed
• Will capitalize the B and D when writing so they do not reverse the lowercase b and d
• Will write uppercase letters mixed in with lower case letters
• Will write above and below the line without using the correct pencil grip

Working & Long Term Memory
• Executive Functioning Deficits
• Struggles with Working & Long Term Memory
• Hard time breaking task or multiple steps into parts
• Takes a long time to learn new concepts
• Learning vocabulary words and commutative information is extremely challenging
• Learns better with visual (concrete information) and hands on

Math
• Struggles with memorizing addition and subtraction facts
• Struggles with word problems in math
• Struggles with memorizing and recalling multiplication facts
• Struggles with multiple step math problems
• Very creative in arts, music, dance, drama, but has a hard time staying focused
• Does not understand the concept of time and struggles telling time
• Struggles with money and counting money
• Struggles with going backwards and forwards on the number line

Homework & Sensory
• May Exhibit Signs of ADD or ADHD
• Low Self-Esteem and Very Self Conscious
• Fidgets, rocks, moves or tries to avoid when given a reading, spelling or writing task
• Homework and studying takes HOURS and MELT DOWNS occur
• Parent is re-teaching information daily/nightly
• May teach new information and 30 minutes later the child does not remember the information presented

Minnesota Conference for parents, students and teachers

Fall Symposium

LDA’s 6th Annual Fall Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2014, at Groves Academy in St. Louis Park. The theme this year is: Empowered to Learn & Grow: ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Other Learning-Based Life Barriers

 

Symposium Details

Title: Empowered to Learn & Grow: ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Other Learning-Based Life Barriers

Date: Saturday, November 8, 2014

Time: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Location: Groves Academy, 3200 Highway 100 South, St. Louis Park, MN

Registration: $50 for individuals; $40 for students (student ID required)


Symposium Schedule

8:00-8:30  Registration/Check-in

8:30-9:00  Continental breakfast

9:00-10:30  Keynote Presentation: Information Processing Differences: A Fresh Perspecitve on Learning Disabilities,Dr. Gary Johnson and Dr. Chris Bedford, Clinic for Attention, Learning and Memory 

10:30-10:45  Break

10:45-11:45  Breakout Session I: Student Panel: Learning Disabilities and ADHD From a Student Perspective; Implementing a Literacy Framework that Works; and Study Skills & School Support at Home

11:45-12:30  Lunch

12:30-1:30  Breakout Session II: Practicing Mindfulness; Developing Successful Programs for 18-21 Year Old Students with a Variety of Disabilities; and Love Without Boundaries: Children and Adolescents with Disabilities and Grief

1:30-1:40  Break

1:40-2:40  Breakout Session III: Self Advocacy and Self Determination: Know Your Rights; Individualizing Instruction and Curriculum Based Assessment; and The Good, the Challenging and the Useful: Raising a Child with ADHD

2:40-3:00  Closing Remarks