Dyslexia is much more common than you might think, and the telltale signs are obvious when you know what to look for. Realizing your child might have dyslexia early on could save them from a difficult progression through each grade and will make sure that they get the help they need to succeed.

Speaking and Writing Skills

A lot of children with dyslexia start speaking a bit later than others. They are quick to abbreviate and jumble up the letters in their short sentences. It’s harder for them to learn as many words as their peers, and sometimes don’t even realize they’ve said something strange. For example:

• The word “animal” may become “aminal” because letters are often meddled around.
• This can apply for reversing words such as “put” to “tup.”
• They also might change around two letters anywhere within the word, such as “kite” and “tike.”
• Letters themselves can be traded out for new ones that look very similar. Take the letters d and b. “Dad” could easily become “Bab” when written.  
• The word “butterfly” might be shortened to “fly.”
• Stories are difficult to tell. They might get stuck on “and,” “but,” or “then.”
• It’s frequent for them to change the word that they’re reading entirely if it makes them think of something else.

Mental and Motor Skills

Dyslexia isn’t only a problem when it comes to words; it can also affect other functions too. Planning and following steps can be a difficult task. Here are a few examples of how mental and motor skills might be affected:

• Being social with other children might be a mammoth task. Children with dyslexia can get flustered quickly and feel tongue-tied with what to say.
• Reaction times might be a little delayed.
• Reading directions in steps can be confusing. Steps can appear jumbled or out of order.
• Memory can be affected in the sense that smaller facts are easier to forget.
• Being able to tell the time, especially from clock-faces can be especially tricky. Digital numbers can be mixed up, too.
• Can find it hard to learn new skills. Despite memorizing things, they might not truly understand what they are doing.
• Actions can be seen as irrational and might end up in causing themselves harm more frequently.

If you believe your child might have a few of these tell-tale signs, it is a good idea to take them to their doctor. It’s important that you don’t worry! Dyslexia can be helped over time. Private schools in Orlando, such as Lake Forrest, understand the struggle that may come with this disorder. Contact us to find a comfortable placement for your child.