Dyslexia

​​What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a neurologically-based learning disability that primarily affects reading and spelling skills. People with dyslexia have trouble with speech sounds and letter-sound associations (phonological processing).

Children with dyslexia have average to above average intellectual abilities and motivation to learn. While dyslexia affects each child differently, extra support with reading and spelling can help them compensate. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of children are reported to have dyslexia.

Although dyslexia runs in families, a child may still have dyslexia if no one in the family does.

Potential signs of reading and spelling challenges

There are many different signs that your child could have difficulties acquiring reading or spelling skills. Not all children will show all of the signs. At different grade levels, these difficulties may include:

Preschool/Kindergarten

• Trouble repeating nursery rhymes; rhyming words
• Word mispronunciations
• Trouble learning letter names
• Difficulty playing word games

Early grade school (grades 1-2)

• Poor recognition of letters
• Trouble sounding out simple words (e.g., hat, sun, dog)
• Many letter and number reversals
• Reluctance when asked to read or spell
• Inability to read words that cannot be sounded out (e.g., the)
• Reading with great effort

Diagnosis of dyslexia

If you suspect your child might have dyslexia, it is important to share your concerns with your child’s teachers. They will be able to observe your child’s learning and identify available resources and strategies to help support your child’s specific needs. If the resources and strategies provided by the school do not help improve your child’s learning, your child might benefit from a formal psychoeducational assessment.

If your child’s reading or spelling abilities are substantially below the expected level for their age, intellectual reasoning abilities and education, they may be diagnosed with dyslexia.

How is dyslexia supported?

Once diagnosed, teachers, tutors and allied health professionals can work with your child to support their reading and spelling through a variety of interventions which can include:

• Explicit teaching of sounds at the oral and printed level (i.e., teaching the sounds associated with individual letters and blending them together to form words)
• Taking a multi-sensory approach to learning, for example:
• using visuals during story time
• playing music or audio clips during a reading exercise
• using tactile materials that children can touch and feel when introduced to new concepts
• Providing accommodations such as a note-taker, text-reading computer software or extra time to complete tasks

How can I help my child?

• Read to your child every day
• Play word games (rhyming, adding/deleting sounds from words)
• Engage your child in reading rhymes, highlighting the rhythms and patterns
• Expose your child to alphabet books and puzzles

Children with dyslexia may be discouraged and their slow progress may impact their self-esteem. It is important to encourage children with dyslexia to engage with reading and also find activities at which they excel. With proper diagnosis and support, children with dyslexia can compensate for their challenges and succeed academically.

What should I do if I think my child may have dyslexia?

The earlier dyslexia is diagnosed and supported, the sooner your child can develop competency in reading and spelling. If you have concerns about your child’s reading or spelling abilities, you can speak with their teacher to explore whether a psychoeducational assessment is needed.