Dyslexia 101

Question: What is Dyslexia?

The student who struggles with reading and spelling often puzzles teachers and parents. This student receives the same classroom instruction that benefits most children, but continues to struggle with some or all of the many facets of reading and spelling. This student may have dyslexia.

To view a video clip about dyslexia from The Dyslexia Center click here.

The International Dyslexia Association [IDA] and the National Institutes of Health adopted the following definition   in 2003:

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge. (Lyon, Shaywitz, and Shaywitz, 2003)

Question: Signs of Dyslexia?      

General Signs of Dyslexia

  • Learning to speak
  • Organizing written and spoken language
  • Learning the letters and their sounds
  • Memorizing number facts
  • Spelling
  • Reading
  • Learning a foreign language
  • Correctly doing math operations

Not all students who have difficulties with these skills are dyslexic. Formal testing is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of dyslexia. (The International Dyslexia Association, www.interdys.org)

Early Clues to Dyslexia

  • A delay in speaking (18 vs. 12 months)
  • Insensitivity to rhyme
  • Trouble learning nursery rhymes
  • Trouble remembering the days of the week
  • Difficulty in learning and remembering letter names
  • Trouble recognizing letters in his or her name

 Ages 5 to 6

  • Trouble recognizing letters or numbers
  • Trouble writing letters or numbers
  • Trouble writing name
  • Trouble recognizing rhyming words (cat, bat, mat, rat)
  • Trouble connecting letters and sounds
  • Trouble recognizing words that start with the same sound
  • Difficulties in pronunciation that continue past the normal time (e.g. pisgetti for spaghetti, aminal for animal, hangburger for hamburger)

 Ages 6 to 7

  • Difficulty recognizing common parts in words (mat, rat)
  • Trouble reading one-syllable words (mat, top)
  • Complains reading is hard
  • Reading errors suggest problems connecting sounds &letters (big for goat)
  • Trouble reading common sight words: where, two
  • Refuses to read aloud

 Ages 7 and older

  • When speaking, mispronounces long words (amulium for aluminum)
  • Confuses words that sound alike (tornado for volcano)
  • Has word finding problems
  • Guesses wildly when reading multisyllable words
  • Omits reading “little words” such as an, the
  • Spells terribly
  • Has trouble finishing school work on time

 Adults

  • May hide reading problems
  • May spell poorly; may rely on others to correct spelling.
  • Avoids writing; may not be able to write.
  • Often very competent in oral language.
  • Relies on memory; may have an excellent memory.
  • Often have good “people” skills.

Question: What Dyslexia Resources are there?

There are many resources here in Colorado.  Please click on the Dyslexia Resources link above to open.  The Listening to Learn Guild, Inc. does not specifically endorse any provider or service listed.  The list is provided for convenience only.