Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to read, write, and spell. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people have dyslexia, but early identification and intervention can greatly improve their chances of success in school and in life. Here are some early signs of dyslexia to look out for in young children:
Delayed speech development (18-24 months): Children with dyslexia may have difficulty with speech and language development, such as saying their first words later than other children their age.
Difficulty with phonemic awareness (3-4 years): This refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate individual sounds in words, such as blending sounds to make words or breaking words into individual sounds.
Trouble with rhyming (4-5 years): Children with dyslexia may have difficulty recognizing and producing rhymes, which is an important aspect of learning to read.
Difficulty with letter recognition and letter-sound correspondence (4-5 years): Children with dyslexia may struggle to recognize letters and associate them with their corresponding sounds, which is an important foundation for reading.
Slow or inaccurate reading (5-6 years): Children with dyslexia may have difficulty reading quickly, accurately, and with comprehension, even after being taught to read.
Reversals of letters and numbers: Children with dyslexia may frequently reverse letters and numbers, such as writing "b" for "d" or "6" for "9". However, letter reversals are common in many children through the first grade.
Difficulty with memorization (6-7 years): Children with dyslexia may have difficulty memorizing facts, such as math facts or spelling words, which can impact their overall academic performance.
Difficulty spelling phonetically (5-7 years): Children with dyslexia may have difficulty spelling words based on how they sound. Early spellers often spell phonetically first, for example, they may spell the word phone as "fon," or "kissed" as "kist."
In conclusion, dyslexia is a common learning disorder that affects a person's ability to read, write, and spell. It is important to be aware of the early signs of dyslexia in order to provide the appropriate support and interventions to children and to help them reach their full potential.
If you suspect that your child may have dyslexia, it is important to seek the guidance of a professional, such as a pediatrician, psychologist, or speech-language pathologist, who can provide appropriate support and interventions. Early identification and support can make a huge difference in a child's life and future success. The speech-language pathologists at Access to Better Communication are prepared to help if you think that your child may be showing characteristics of a reading disorder. We may be reached by phone 225.930.0208 or by scanning the QR code below. Let us help your child!
