Recognising the signs of Dyslexia

Dyslexia comes from the Greek language meaning 'difficulty with words'.

Around 10% of people in the UK are thought to have dyslexia to some degree. But which children in your school might be dyslexic?

Dyslexia affects people in different ways. Some are very good readers but may struggle with spelling or writing. Others may have only mild symptoms of dyslexia, or may have severe symptoms but only experience them now and then. 

You can often spot signs of dyslexia in children at a young age. However, children develop at different rates, so it's important to remember that just because a child may have one or more of these characteristics, it doesn't mean that they necessarily have dyslexia.

Signs of dyslexia:

• Difficulty remembering times tables or the alphabet and putting the days of the week in order
• Enjoys being read to but when attempting to read themselves, guesses at words
• Confuses left and right
• Takes a long time to complete any written work
• Persistent difficulties with reading and spelling
• Leaves letters out of words or puts them in the wrong order
• Appears careless and lacks concentration
• Has unusual difficulties in dressing or tying shoe-laces
• Writes letters or numbers the wrong way round
• Needs to use fingers or written marks to do simple calculations when other children are easily able to do them in their heads

Although there is no cure for dyslexia, recognition of the problem and appropriate teaching methods are vital.

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