You're working with a student, and suddenly you wonder if your student has dyslexia.
They seem to read slower, mix up b's and d's, and even numbers. The parent hasn't mentioned that dyslexia could be causing problems, but some kids always fall through the cracks.
One of the most important things to know is that dyslexia doesn't just affect reading. That is why I created this video sharing 21 ways that dyslexia affects learning. This may be helpful as you go through and think about some of the difficulties your student may be facing.
Click below to watch.
Dyslexics will struggle with
1. Phonological processing
2. Concentration
3. Personal organization
4. Telling left from right
5. Days of the week
6. Alphabet
7. Telling time
8. Self-esteem
9. Reading quickly
10. Writing
11. Repeating something in the right order
12. Finding the right word to communicate
13. Difficulty with words that sound similar or have multiple meanings
14. Rhyming
15. Understanding jokes
16. Speaking in front of the class
17. Reading out loud
18. Understanding word problems
19. Listening and taking notes
20. Memorizing information for tests
21. Recognizing different fonts
The video above goes into more detail about each of these. Even though you may not teach reading, you may notice that your student is struggling in these areas.
It is important to know that not all dyslexics look alike. There is a range from mild to severe. Also, other learning disabilities may impair a student's success further. For example, possibly they have ADHD or Autism.
How To Tell if a Student Has Dyslexia
So far, we have seen how dyslexia affects learning, but how can you tell if a student has dyslexia?
I have created a free workbook that you can use if you suspect a student has dyslexia. It has checklists of what to look for, some simple activities, and strengths. Let's face it, just because a kid struggles with reading doesn't mean they struggle with everything. You will learn what types of strengths these kids have and be able to use them to teach them, so they retain the information.
Click here to access your free workbook.
The Gifts of Dyslexia
20% of kids have the gift of dyslexia. I say gift because so many gifts are attached to this learning difference.
Dyslexics get to practice grit early in life. They learn to stick with things longer instead of giving up as soon as they get tough.
They also are gifted in other areas. For example, sports, art, or drama. They also have a high IQ. This allows them to see things from a different perspective.
Can All Kids Learn to Read?
90-95% of kids with dyslexia will be able to read. However, early intervention is key. If you wait too long to get appropriate help for a dyslexic, their belief system makes it much harder to close the gap.
As a reading specialist, I never give up and will go to any length to help a struggling child with reading.
Remember, the earlier we can identify if dyslexia is the problem, the quicker we can do something about it and have the child succeed in school.
Do you have a student that could have dyslexia? If so, download the free workbook to learn how to spot dyslexia today.
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