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Dyslexia

Dyslexia is thought to be one of the most common learning difficulties. It's estimated that up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has a certain degree of dyslexia. 

It is a specific learning difficulty that makes it hard to learn to read and spell. Sometimes maths is affected too.It comes from a difficulty in dealing with the sounds of words, which makes it especially hard to learn to read words using phonics.

Report
Other Specific Learning Difficulties
Signs of Dyslexia
Diagnosis

Children learn at different paces. But if your child has been struggling with reading and writing for a while, what you’re seeing could be signs of dyslexia or a specific learning difficulty. 

Dyslexia symptoms can be difficult to recognize before your child enters school, but some early clues may indicate a problem. Once your child reaches school age, your child's teacher may be the first to notice a problem. The condition often becomes apparent as a child starts learning to read.

 

  • Slowness in learning to read, write and spell

  • Slow speed of writing, spelling and reading 

  • Reading something several times before it is understood

  • Continuing to make visual errors in reading, for example saying ‘bad’ for ‘dad’

  • Making spelling errors that seem unrelated by sound to the intended word

  • Problems remembering instructions, telephone numbers etc.

  • Using the wrong name for something

  • Appearing forgetful or disorganised

  • Loss of confidence and self-esteem

  • Difficulty in remembering lists of things, or recalling a name or fact quickly

  • Family history of reading and/or spelling difficulties.

 

If you are concerned about your child’s progress with reading and writing, first talk to their teacher.

If there are still concerns about your child’s progress after they have received additional teaching and support, a more in-depth assessment should be carried out.

The assessment will be carried out by an appropriately qualified specialist dyslexia teacher, who will be able to support yourself, your child and your child's teacher. They will try to improve your understanding of the child’s learning difficulties and suggest targeted support.

Before the assessment takes place, you will be sent a questionnaire that asks about your child and related issues, such as their general state of health, how well they perform certain tasks and what you think needs to change.

Various different assessment methods may be used, but all involve your child taking part in a series of tests and observing them in their learning environment, as well as talking with key adults involved with your child’s learning. The tests are not limited to your child’s reading and writing abilities; they also examine other skills, including:

  • language development vocabulary

  • logical reasoning

  • memory

  • the speed they can process visual and auditory (sound) information

  • organisational skills

  • approaches to learning

As part of the assessment you will receive a comprehensive report that not only gives you the results of the tests undertaken, but also advice on the way forward and strategies to help you deal with your dyslexia.

The most common SpLDs are dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. All specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) exist on a continuum from mild to moderate through to severe.

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