Dyslexia is defined by the International Dyslexia Association as, “a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”
Dyslexia in preschool age
- Difficult learning names of letters and numbers
- Delayed speech development
- Difficulty making rhymes
- Difficulty understanding that rhymes help us remember nursery stories such as, “Jack and Jill.”
Dyslexia in elementary age
- Difficulty reading and spelling sight words
- Guessing at words when reading due to the initial letter of the word
- Skip over small words such as, “his, of, the, etc.”
- Reading (and/or spelling) is far below peers
Dyslexia in middle and high school
- Poor speller
- Behind in written grammar usage
- Aversion to reading and/or writing
- Comprehension exceeds reading ability