Dyslexia
Education for children with special education needs and disabilities is written elsewhere on this website. Please click the link below to access it.
Please also note that we have given you an overview on this condition in a question and answer format. We have not discussed the types of treatment available for this condition. We will leave that for a professional to discuss with you when a special educational needs plan or learning/educational/healthcare plan is being written for your child once they have been diagnosed.
WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?
Dyslexia is a condition which affects the learning ability of a child with regards to writing, reading and spelling. It affects the child’s comprehension skills and their ability to process information.
Children with dyslexia are regarded as children with special educational needs.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR DYSLEXIA?
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR DYSLEXIA DIAGNOSIS
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES A CHILD WITH DYSLEXIA DISPLAY?
Although many children with dyslexia share symptoms that come with the condition however, each child will experience these symptoms in different ways. They will have different strengths and limitations of these symptoms.
The main symptoms a child with dyslexia will show are:
- Difficulty remembering information they see and hear such as naming colours, letters and numbers.
- They have difficulty interpreting and understanding what they have read.
- They learn new words slower than others.
- They have difficulty with rhyming words.
- They have difficulty spelling words.
- They have grammar issues.
- They have difficulty pronouncing unfamiliar words.
- They cannot organise themselves or their work.
- They have problems with literacy skills.
- They learn to speak later than others
- Difficulty in phonological awareness.
- They confuse words that sound alike.
- They often write letters the wrong way.
- They read slower than others.
- They are reading below the expected level for their age group.
- They can make mistakes when reading out loud.
ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE DYSLEXIA BORN WITH IT OR DO THEY ACQUIRE IT?
Both forms of dyslexia are present in children.
Developmental dyslexia – Some children are born with dyslexia because they have inherited it from their parents (it has a genetic root). This type of dyslexia is also known as genetic dyslexia. There are 2 types of developmental dyslexia:
- Primary dyslexia – This dyslexia is genetically inherited and is more common in left handed boys.
- Secondary dyslexia – This dyslexia occurs because of brain development issues in the early stages of pregnancy.
Acquired dyslexia – A serious traumatic event (both physical and emotional), an traumatic brain injury or disease can cause the development of dyslexia by affecting the parts of the brain that process language. This type of dyslexia is also known as trauma dyslexia and is the only dyslexia where the cause is known.
WHEN DO MOST CHILDREN FIRST DISPLAY THE SIGNS OF DYSLEXIA?
Children can show signs of dyslexia at about 1 – 2 years of age. At this age a child can find it difficult to form words. However most children will display signs of dyslexia when they start school.
CAN DYSLEXIA GO AWAY, BE CURED OR PREVENTED?
No dyslexia does not go away, nor can it be cured or prevented. However, with the right help, therapy, medication, guidance and treatment it can be managed.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DYSLEXIA?
There are many types of dyslexia that have been identified and written about. Children can suffer from more than one type of dyslexia. We will give you an overview on the 5 most common:
1. Phonological dyslexia – This is the most common type of dyslexia. Most common issues are:
- There is difficulty matching sounds to letters and symbols.
- Difficulty sounding out words.
- Slower reading than others
- Spelling problems
2. Visual dyslexia – A child with visual dyslexia has issues with recalling and remembering words, letters and symbols they have seen. These children have visual processing difficulties where their brain does not get all the information the eyes take in. Often the brain cannot remember letters, words and symbols. Most common issues are:
- The child can develop a headache when they read
- They can also suffer from eye strain when reading.
- Writing can appear blurred.
- Words can appear double.
- This child can lose their place where they were when reading.
3. Surface dyslexia – This type of dyslexia is when a child can sound out a word that sounds the way they are spelt. They however cannot sound out a word that diverts from this rule. An example is ‘mint’ and ‘pint’.
4. Rapid naming dyslexia – This type of dyslexia is when an individual cannot quickly name a colour, letter, symbol or number. It takes them time to remember and recall. The most common issues are:
- These children are slower to respond than other children
- They recall at a much slower pace
- They are slow at finishing reading and writing tasks.
5. Double deficit dyslexia – This is the most severe type of dyslexia. A child has very poor phonological awareness and extremely slow recalling of words. This type of dyslexia combines phonological and rapid naming dyslexia.
HOW CAN CHILDREN WHO HAVE DYSLEXIA FEEL IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED?
Children with dyslexia can sometimes feel very confused and depressed, especially if they have not been diagnosed. Not being diagnosed can lead to:
- Self esteem issues because they cannot understand why they find tasks that other children find so easy, difficult.
- They can lose interest in study because it appears too hard for them.
- They can become isolated because they feel stupid.
- They can come across as lazy or unfocused because they are not understanding things.
- They can find it difficult building relationships.
WHO DO YOUR CONTACT FOR HELP IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD HAS DYSLEXIA?
Contact your GP immediately – Your GP will arrange for your child to be assessed for dyslexia. If your child has dyslexia your GP will then arrange for your child to have the correct support, medication, therapy and treatment to manage the condition. They will also advise you of any lifestyle changes you may need to make.
Contact the school SEN department – The SEN department (special educational needs) at school will take your concerns seriously and help you. Please read the next section below.
IS DYSLEXIA CONSIDERED A SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEED (SEN)?
A child suffering from dyslexia can be considered as one with special educational needs (SEN) if the issues the child is suffering from make education and learning much more difficult than other children of the same age.
Talk to the SEN department at your child’s school. There will be a special teacher there called a SENCO (special SEN coordinator) who looks after the welfare of all SEN children at the school and they will be able to advise you further.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has dyslexia you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child has dyslexia.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about your concerns with dyslexia. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE 16 – CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has dyslexia and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.