Dyslexia in children: What you should know about it

Dyslexia is one of the most prevalent learning disabilities in children. While it can cause problems with reading, writing, and spelling, the disability has nothing to do with a person’s intelligence. 

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a neurological impairment that renders the brain unable to translate images received from the eyes or ears. The eyes see the words in the book, but the brain cannot translate what the child has seen.

Understanding the fundamentals that spell out dyslexia is crucial, but to know what it is not is just as important.

Dyslexia in children (and adults) should not be confused with problems related to hearing or vision, mental retardation, a lack of intelligence, or brain damage.

Children who have dyslexia struggle with learning how to read, write, and spell in a traditional setting. In spite of the fact that most children who have dyslexia possess an average or above-average intelligence level, they are not capable of comprehending visually and audibly presented lessons.

Types of Dyslexia

1. Primary Dyslexia

This is a genetically hereditary malfunction of the cerebrum, which is the part of the brain responsible for thinking and movement. People with this ailment rarely attain a reading level above that of a fourth grader and have trouble spelling.

2. Developmental Dyslexia

This happens during fetal development. Fortunately, dyslexia in children usually gets better with age. While someone with Developmental Dyslexia may never be an avid reader or speller, they will be proficient enough to function without any real problems.

Both Primary and Developmental Dyslexia can manifest visually and audibly. This means that children with the learning disability are unable to do the following:

• Hear words in sequence and/or
• Read words as they appear on the page

Signs and symptoms of dyslexia in children

The few most common and early detectable signs of dyslexia in children are a child’s repeated reversal of writing letters and numbers. Because this is a common stage of development, it is usually not suspected or detected until the tender age of eight or beyond.

Other symptoms of dyslexia in children include:

Preschool age

1. Late talker
2. Difficulty learning new words, rhyming words, and nursery rhymes
3. Trouble learning the alphabet, colors, and numbers
4. Difficulty with pronunciation
5. Trouble with fine motor skills
6. Switching letters such as “d” and “b” and other letters within a word

School-age

1. The reading level is below the age group
2. Inability to follow sequences and patterns
3. Inability to recall what is seen and heard–even a favorite story or movie–just minutes prior
4. The general state of disorganization in a child’s schoolwork
5. Strong aversion to school work and putting themselves down
6. Trouble with copying from a book or blackboard
7. Difficulty in following successive instructions
8. Poor penmanship
9. Difficulty in remembering numbers

If your child has any of these symptoms, ask your child’s teacher if they have noticed these, too. If they confirm the symptoms, don’t waste time before seeking out professional medical advice and help.

Causes of Dyslexia

Dyslexia is hereditary. While experts have not yet identified the exact causes of dyslexia, research has linked the disability with the gene that controls how the brain processes information to convert written letters and words into speech. 

Complications

• Problems in school. Because children with dyslexia have difficulty in reading and writing, they will have trouble keeping up in class.
• Socialization. Dyslexia in children can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, behavior problems, aggression and withdrawal from friends and family.
• Not reaching full potential. Trouble in reading and comprehending may hinder children from reaching their maximum potential. However, it is important to note that there are many famous and successful people who have dyslexia.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Those who suffer from dyslexia are more likely to develop ADHD, and vice versa.

Tests and Diagnosis

A definitive diagnosis will be made by a reading specialist or psychologist who will test the child.

Examinations evaluate the child’s functional reading level, which is compared to the standard levels, by using an intelligence test. All variables of the reading process are examined to see where problems lie.

The tests also assess how a child receives and processes information. This portion of the testing determines whether a child learns better by seeing, hearing, or through a hands-on approach.

These exams are highly reliable and are administered as games and puzzles so the child doesn’t feel he is being tested.

Treatments

There is no cure for dyslexia in children – only treatment. Treatment methods depend upon the severity and type of dyslexia the child has. 

A specialist will work with the child to improve reading comprehension, vocabulary and phonemic awareness (the ability to hear, identify, and string together phonemes or units of sound). Here are examples of such techniques:

• Helping a child understand the different sounds that make up a word, even one as simple as “car”
• Combining letters to create words, then later how to combine words to create sentences
• Practicing words accurately through a guided oral reading. This is where the child is given constant feedback to improve his reading speed
• Improving comprehension by asking a child what understands from a story and helping him fill any gaps
• Learning through other senses, such as touch by tracing letters using fingers, to process information better. Another multi-sensory method is to say the short “A” sound while drawing it in the air

It is vital that the child’s school be “on board” with the treatment program. It is essential that they work with the child to help him learn at the pace he is capable of in order to excel using targeted methods.

Early Detection

The difference between early screening and later screening is significant. A child with dyslexia who receives early intervention could do up to four times better than one who receives help at the age of 11.

What parents can do?

Parents can do their part by understanding the signs and symptoms. If a child is suffering from a learning disability and doesn’t know how to cope with it, he might get frustrated and stressed unnecessarily. Remember to be patient, no matter how frustrated you might be, too.

Here are things parents can do to help:

• Be patient. It is no one’s fault that your child has this condition. The best you can do is to accept this and help him improve.
• Read with your child. Set a time to read daily to improve his reading skills. It is also best to listen to audiobooks and read out loud together to improve his comprehension.
• Talk to your child’s teacher. Discuss how both of you can help your child succeed in school.
• Encourage extracurricular activities. Children with dyslexia tend to have low self-esteem or depression because of their disability. Provide opportunities for them to enjoy, learn a new skill, and feel fulfilled. Enroll him in sports, music, or art lessons. 
• Provide support. Give emotional support, especially during times when your child is frustrated with schoolwork. Give your child tools to cope with stress as well such as calming down. Teach him to remove himself from a frustrating situation by either going outside to play or taking a walk to enable him to return to the challenging situation with a fresh perspective.

Lastly, understanding and addressing dyslexia in children is crucial for their academic and personal growth. By providing the right support and interventions, we can empower these young minds to thrive and overcome the challenges they face in their educational journey.

Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.