Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects a child’s ability to read and spell correctly. This condition can make it difficult for children to learn and keep up with their peers in school.

However, with early identification and proper support, children with dyslexia can succeed academically and in life. Here are some red flags to look out for when identifying dyslexia in young children.

1. Difficulty with basics

Children with dyslexia have difficulty with the basics of reading and writing. They may find it difficult to recognize simple letter sounds or put them together to form simple words.

They may also struggle to write simple words or sentences without errors.

2. Slow reading or writing speed

Children with dyslexia read and write very slowly compared to their peers. They may struggle to read even simple words and sentences. Similarly, their writing may be slow and labored, with many mistakes and incorrect spelling.

3. Difficulty with rhyming words

Children with dyslexia often struggle with rhyming words. They may find it difficult to recognize the similarities in sound between simpler words, like “cat” and “bat”.

This difficulty can make it challenging for them to learn new words and recognize word families.

4. Difficulty with phonics

Phonics is the relationship between letters and sounds. Children with dyslexia often have difficulty with phonics, which makes it harder for them to recognize and sound out new words.

This can result in difficulty in decoding words and struggles with spelling.

5. Poor memory skills

Children with dyslexia may also have poor memory skills, which can make it difficult for them to recall words they have learned previously.

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They may forget how to spell words they have studied or struggle to remember frequently used words like “the”.

6. Difficulty with sequencing

Dyslexia also affects children’s ability to understand the order of events, which is important in reading and writing. They may struggle to recognize the sequence of letters in a word or be unable to order events in a story or sentence.

7. Academic struggles

Children with dyslexia often struggle academically, which can manifest itself in different ways. They may be unable to keep up with their peers in reading or writing.

They may also struggle in other subject areas like math or science as a result of their difficulty with reading and comprehension.

8. Difficulty with oral language

Children with dyslexia may also have difficulty with oral language, including poor enunciation, grammar, and vocabulary development. They may struggle to form coherent sentences and may use incorrect words or phrases.

9. Struggles with visual perception

Children with dyslexia may also struggle with visual perception. They may find it difficult to differentiate between similar-looking letters like b and d or p and q. They may also find it challenging to recognize words that are similar in appearance.

10. Family history of dyslexia

Dyslexia can be hereditary, so if there is a family history of dyslexia, it is more likely that a child will have the condition too.

This doesn’t mean that all children with dyslexia have a family history of the condition, but it can be a red flag to be aware of.

Conclusion

Dyslexia is a condition that can be identified and managed early with the proper support and intervention.

Parents and educators need to be aware of the red flags for dyslexia and seek help as soon as possible if they notice any of the above symptoms in their children.