Reading is an essential skill for navigating life. At this point, you probably don’t think about how often you use reading. Your child is beginning to understand this now that they’re getting further into their education. Yet, not every child learns to read at the same pace and conditions like dyslexia make learning to read more difficult.
Did you know that up to one-eighth of the U.S. population lives with dyslexia? These are people who don’t lack intelligence or the motivation to do well. Their brains simply have difficulty processing words in print.
If you’re child has difficulty reading and are concerned they’re falling behind, you should know the signs of dyslexia:
- Reverses letters and letter shapes within words.
- Has trouble spelling and learning the alphabet.
- Struggles to learn new words.
Despite these troubles, research indicates dyslexic children may have higher reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving skills than non-dyslexic children. These are valuable life skills, just like reading, that are important to develop.
Who can diagnose dyslexia?
A healthcare professional can test your child for dyslexia, but it is not required to receive special education services in California. If your child is of reading age and is showing signs of dyslexia, it’s best to get an assessment done as soon as possible. This allows you and your child’s school to develop an education plan that places them in a position to succeed.
It can be frustrating for you to watch your child struggle to learn to read. Having dyslexia doesn’t mean that your child is less intelligent or disinterested, it just means that they learn differently. The first step towards helping your child learn in a way that suits them best is to have them complete the dyslexia assessment.