Dyslexia   

Evidence:

ADA Australia Dyslexia Association

ADA can provide further information on pre-assessments.

The ADA pre-assessment service is a unique, thorough and affordable service created and offered by the ADA. The ADA offers various pre assessments that are suitable for all ages, including adults.  The ADA recommends the pre assessment service as a sensible procedure in identifying dyslexia and or dysgraphia. The pre assessment is very useful and will assist the school and or relevant needs of each individual being assessed. The pre assessment report will also include relevant and useful attachments for personalised understanding and support.

Education:

Dyslexia displays as problems with accuracy and fluency in reading and spelling. In some children, dyslexia can impact their writing, math and language. A key sign of dyslexia in children is trouble decoding words. This is the ability to match letters to sounds and then use that skill to read words accurately and fluently. One reason children have difficulty decoding is that they often struggle with a more basic language skill called phonemic awareness.This is the ability to recognize individual sounds in words. Trouble with this skill can show up as early as preschool. Dyslexia will normally become apparent during the early years of schooling, when a child shows an unexplained difficulty in reading despite having the capabilities to learn, including sound verbal abilities. Even though dyslexia can become apparent in the early years many children are not identified and an evaluation may not be done until adulthood.

Symptoms of Dyslexia are often picked up in the first two years of school, usually when children start learning to read. Dyslexia is harder to diagnose in teenagers as they are often perceived as just lazy or troublemakers.

Symptoms of dyslexia in teenagers:

• Reading is slower than others same age
• Difficulty reading and avoid reading
• Trouble learning a foreign language
• Difficulty reading maps and giving directions
• Handwriting is not neat

The sooner it is treated, the more favourable the outcome.  If left untreated Dyslexia may lead to low self-esteem, behaviour problems, anxiety and withdrawal from friends, parents and teachers.

Empowerment:

Learning as much as you can about Dyslexia can help with easing anxiety. It can guide you to make more informed choices when you can see how much you can do for your teenager.  Also meeting other parents that have a teenager with Dyslexia or joining an online support group which help support you. Working closely with your teenagers’ school to ensure all the right services and resources are in place for your teenager

As a parent we can empower our teenagers by speaking positively to them and believing in them. Instead of trying to fix it, letting them know its going to be okay and focusing on their gifts. Providing audiobooks can be a good alternative if your teenager can’t read a book. Many people with dyslexia are highly successful, becoming experts and celebrities in their field. Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver, Jennifer Anniston, Whoopi Goldberg, Albert Einstein, and Henry Ford all triumphed over their difficulties and succeeded in developing their exceptional gifts.

Whoopi Goldberg quoted on her dyslexia – She “attributes thinking differently as a factor in helping her succeed”

Useful links:

7 Ways to Empower Children Who Have Dyslexia - Foster the Gifts! 

ADA Australian Dyslexia Association 

What is Dyslexia?

Special thanks to Australian Dyslexia Association for content sharing and linking to provide further information and direction for families with any concerns.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life thinking it's stupid.” - Albert Einstein

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