Dyslexia in Children: Early Warning Signs for Parents

Have you observed any possible “warning signs” that could suggest a learning disability such as dyslexia in children?

Is your young one facing challenges with reading?

Research indicates that one in five individuals in the United States grapples with some form of learning disability like Dyslexia. However, for many children, these issues often go unnoticed and undiagnosed for longer than necessary.

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Dyslexia in Children: Early Warning Signs for Parents

Experts unanimously emphasize the significant benefits of early detection and intervention for children displaying signs of dyslexia or other learning differences.

Dr. Nichole Dawson, a Pediatric Neuropsychologist with expertise in assisting families and children with reading and learning disorders, brings a unique perspective as she has a son with dyslexia.

As Dyslexia Awareness Month approaches in October, Dr. Dawson is dedicated to educating the public about learning differences and their early “markers” or warning signs.

Overcoming Dyslexia The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain The Gift of Dyslexia: Why Some of the Smartest People Can’t Read…and How They Can Learn The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan: A Blueprint for Renewing Your Child’s Confidence and Love of Learning

These indicators may include challenges in learning the alphabet, identifying letters, processing letter-sound relationships, nursery rhymes, preschool songs, days of the week, months of the year, counting, number recognition, and reading aloud with a slow, “choppy” and error-prone manner.

Additionally, Dr. Dawson highlights other warning signs such as a history of speech and/or language development challenges, weak fine motor skills, messy handwriting, difficulty learning to write, and struggles with repetitive learning of facts, vocabulary, names, and math (especially math facts and computation).

If a child is displaying these symptoms, it is advisable for parents to seek an evaluation from a dyslexia and reading impairments expert.

Professionals such as school psychologists, pediatric neuropsychologists, educational therapists, and speech-language pathologists are qualified to provide a diagnosis.

Despite the fact that many children with learning differences possess above-average intelligence, Dr. Dawson recommends that parents trust their instincts rather than adopting a wait-and-see approach.

Learn to Read for Kids with Dyslexia: 101 Games and Activities to Teach Your Child to Read Orton Gillingham Workbook For Kids With Dyslexia. 100 Orton Gillingham activities to improve writing and reading skills in children with dyslexia Writing Workbook for Kids with Dyslexia. 100 activities to improve writing and reading skills of dyslexic children Orton Gillingham Tools For Kids With Dyslexia. 100 activities to help children with dyslexia differentiate and correctly use “b”, “d”, “p” and “q” letters.

Research indicates that a child’s reading skill level at the end of kindergarten significantly predicts their reading skills in third grade.

Contrary to the notion that it might spontaneously ‘click’ if given enough time, this idea lacks substantiation in research.

A significant number of individuals with learning differences experience diminished self-esteem due to challenges in reading, and a considerable percentage eventually discontinue their education without appropriate assistance.

The positive news, however, is that numerous resources exist to aid children with learning differences in attaining success in reading.

Teach Reading with Orton-Gillingham: 72 Classroom-Ready Lessons to Help Struggling Readers and Students with Dyslexia Learn to Love Reading 35 Lesson Plans – An Orton-Gillingham Reading & Spelling Program Fluency Word Lists: An Orton-Gilligham Reading Resource for Dyslexia Blast Off to Reading!: 50 Orton-Gillingham Based Lessons for Struggling Readers and Those with Dyslexia

Dr. Dawson suggests a two-pronged approach. First, it is crucial for the child to receive high-quality, explicit, evidence-based instruction within a multi-sensory, structured language curriculum.