Dyslexia

Evidence:

The Australian Dyslexic Association (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.

ADA can provide further information on pre-assessments: https://dyslexiaassociation.org.au/

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.

How does an undiagnosed child cope with dyslexia at school?

Many undiagnosed children develop coping strategies, both positive and negative which can disguise dyslexia. Most children with dyslexia have to work much harder than their peers to remember and apply classroom information. Some children with dyslexia pretend to be less capable than they actually are, this is a negative coping strategy.

A child with dyslexia may face the following difficulties during primary school years:

• Has trouble taking away the middle sound from a word or blending several sounds to make a word
• Often doesn’t recognise common sight words
• Quickly forgets how to spell words after studying them
• Gets tripped up by word problemsin math
• Has to frequently re-read sentences and passages and makes many spelling errors
• Reads at a lower academic level than when speaking or in conversation

Empowerment:

You may be a parent who has noticed your child has difficulty with the points raised above or your child’s school or teacher may have raised concerns with you.  Your child’s school should be able to complete a pre assessment if concerned about dyslexia or you can contact the Australian Dyslexia Association for further information and steps for a pre assessment.

https://dyslexiaassociation.org.au/ada-pre-assessment-service/

What does Dyslexia look like from a trained professional and parent’s “view” in everyday life at home too. CLICK HERE to read article.

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

Useful links:
https://learningally.org/Blog/7-examples-fostering-gifts-dyslexia
https://dyslexiaassociation.org.au/
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/understanding-dyslexia

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

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