Ensuring our children receive the best education is every parent's priority. It's important to be aware of potential challenges they might face, such as dyslexia, a common learning difficulty that affects reading, writing, and spelling. Identifying dyslexia early is key to providing the necessary support for your child's academic and emotional well-being.
Spotting Early Signs of Dyslexia:
Phonological Awareness:
Difficulty recognising and manipulating sounds in spoken language.
Struggles with rhyming or identifying individual sounds in words.
Reading Challenges:
Reading is slow and hesitant.
Difficulty decoding unfamiliar words.
Poor spelling despite a good understanding of spoken language.
Writing Difficulties:
Frequent spelling errors and inconsistent spelling.
Poor handwriting is often described as messy or illegible.
Memory and Sequencing Issues:
Difficulty remembering sequences, like days of the week or the alphabet.
Challenges in remembering and following multi-step instructions.
Visual and Auditory Processing Challenges:
Struggles with processing visual information, leading to difficulties in reading.
Difficulty understanding and remembering spoken information.
Lack of Interest in Reading:
Unwillingness to engage in reading activities or avoidance of reading altogether.
Taking Action: What to Do if You Spot the Signs:
Trust Your Instincts: If you notice persistent difficulties in reading, writing, or spelling, trust your instincts. Parental intuition is a powerful tool, and if something feels amiss, it's worth investigating further.
Open Communication: Talk to your child about their experiences with learning. Encourage open communication about any challenges they may be facing. Sometimes, children may not express their struggles unless prompted.
Consult with Educators: The first stop is your child's school. Reach out to your child's teachers and share your observations. Collaborating ensures a comprehensive understanding of your child's learning experiences in different settings.
Professional Assessment: The school will support you in taking the next steps for an assessment conducted by an Educational Psychologist.
Getting a local professional assessment may have beneficial results as the student advances through secondary school. A few of these benefits may include being given 25% more time to complete an exam and being assigned a scribe or reader to support the student during an exam.
The Importance of Early Screening:
Early detection of dyslexia is crucial for several reasons:
Timely Intervention: Early identification allows for prompt intervention and tailored support, which can significantly improve a child's reading and writing abilities.
Boosting Confidence: Addressing dyslexia early helps boost a child's self-esteem and confidence, preventing the emotional impact that often accompanies learning difficulties.
Academic Success: With appropriate support, children with dyslexia can excel academically and develop effective strategies to overcome challenges.
Screening Resources:
British Dyslexia Association (BDA):
The BDA provides valuable information on dyslexia and offers online resources, including screening tools for parents. Visit their website: British Dyslexia Association
Nessy:
Nessy offers online assessments and resources for dyslexia. Their engaging games and activities make learning fun for children. Explore more: Nessy
Dyslexia Action:
Dyslexia Action provides assessments and support for individuals with dyslexia. Their website contains helpful information for parents: Dyslexia Action
Lexxic:
Lexxic offers online dyslexia screening tools and assessments for both adults and children. Learn more: Lexxic
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