Dyslexia, according to the World Federation of Neurologists, is a disorder that manifests itself difficulty in learning to read and writing, despite the use of standard teaching methods, with an intelligence of at least average level and under favourable socio-cultural conditions. Persons with dyslexia are not uneducated, lazy or less intelligent. On the contrary, they often surpass their peers in intelligence. It is estimated that there are up to four to five children with this disorder in each class.
How do you recognise dyslexia in a child?
In order to support a child's learning process, it is important to have early diagnosis of dyslexia. Symptoms of dyslexia may include:
- Slow, inaccurate reading: the child reads more slowly than peers, twists words, misses syllables, has difficulty decoding words and 'stammers' when reading.
- Reading comprehension difficulties: the child does not understand the content of the text read, cannot summarise it or answer questions about the text.
- Writing difficulties: clumsy writing, different sized letters, omission or doubling of letters, numerous spelling and punctuation errors, poor paragraph organisation.
- Difficulty in transcribing text: skipping letters, confusing similar letters (b-g, d-b, p-d), writing letters in a mirror image.
- Poor sequential memory: e.g. the child cannot name the months one by one.
- Difficulty in learning rhymes and poems.
- Directional orientation problems: confusion between right and left.
- Difficulties in learning the hours on a clock.
- Problems with spatial imagination: difficulties with spatial figures or the number axis.
Psycho-motor development in children with dyslexia
Children with dyslexia They often skip the crawling stage and start talking later. They may be characterised by motor clumsiness, problems with balance, riding a bicycle, tying shoes, fastening buttons or handling cutlery. They often have concentration problems attention span, get tired quickly when learning and get frustrated easily.
Strengths of people with dyslexia
Despite the difficulties, persons with dyslexia have many advantages that we can envy:
- Wrasensitivity to the world around them: they are often helpful to people, caring.
- Curiosity about the world: above-average curiosity.
- Thinking in pictures: a rich imagination.
- Above-average intuition.
Diagnosis of dyslexia
Dyslexia is most often diagnosed when a child reaches the age of 10, usually in the fourth year of primary school. Parents observing worrying symptoms should see a psychologist who will interview and psychological testing for dyslexia. There are usually two meetings of about 90 minutes each. After analysis of test results and an interview with parents child psychologist prepares a descriptive document or opinion confirming or excluding dyslexia.
How to help a child with dyslexia?
The support of the child by parents and teachers is crucial. Here are some tips:
Organisation of learning: the child should learn briefly (20-30 minutes) with breaks.
Colour coding: it is useful to use colour to highlight sections of text, arrows, underlining.
Appreciation of effort: praise the child for the effort put in, not just for the result.
Avoiding comparisons: do not compare your child with others, notice his/her progress
Effective support methods for dyslexic children
Dyslexia is a disorder that can be worked on with satisfactory results. It is important to implement a plan to support the child's functioning at school and to work with a psychologist, speech therapist and teacher. The role of parents is invaluable - support, motivation to learn and building self-esteem are key. We invite you to a consultation at Kids Medic Children and Youth Therapy Centre in Warsawwhere our specialists will help your child overcome difficulties related to dyslexia.
