If you notice that your child has problems with reading, writing, is slower to acquire language material than peers, often confuses letters or avoids reading aloud - it may be developmental dyslexia.
Don't worry - with the right support and therapy, your child can successfully develop their skills and feel confident in their learning. You can get all the necessary diagnoses and individual therapies in one place - at the Kids Medic children and youth therapy centre (Warsaw, Ursus).
Let's take a closer look at developmental dyslexia and effective therapies to support children's development.
What is developmental dyslexia?
Developmental dyslexia is a specific learning disorder that most often reveals itself already in early childhood. It manifests itself in difficulties in reading, writing and reading comprehension, despite normal intellectual development and favourable educational conditions.
Typical symptoms of dyslexia:
- slow reading speed,
- difficulties in remembering letters and sounds,
- confusing similar-sounding letters (e.g. b-d, p-g),
- Spelling errors despite learning the rules,
- avoiding writing or reading aloud tasks.
If you notice similar difficulties in your child, it is not worth relying on guesswork. Diagnosis of developmental dyslexia at Kids Medic is conducted comprehensively - with the involvement of an educationalist and other specialists, in a comfortable environment and friendly atmosphere.
Types of dyslexia - not every difficulty looks the same
Dyslexia is not one clearly defined difficulty. It can take many forms, just as every child is different and unique. Symptoms of dyslexia can range from reading difficulties to difficulties with writing to problems with concentration and organisation. Every little person with dyslexia experiences them in their own way.
This is why accurate and individual diagnosis is so important. Instead of looking for one-size-fits-all solutions, it is worth focusing on the specific needs of the child - their strengths, difficulties and learning style. Only then is it possible to select effective support methods and create the conditions for full development.
Professional diagnosis of dyslexia allows not only the recognition of difficulties, but also a better understanding of the child - their emotions, coping strategies and hidden potential. This is the first step towards building a child's self-esteem and success, not only at school but also in later life.
The most common types of dyslexia:
- Typical (specific) dyslexia - difficulties in recognising and processing letters, sounds, words.
- Dysgraphia - problems with the graphic form of writing: "ugly", illegible, slow writing.
- Dysortography - spelling mistakes despite knowing the rules.
- Dyscalculia - learning difficulties in mathematics, often co-occurring with dyslexia.
However, there are times when a child has all types of dyslexia, in which case we refer to this as profound dyslexia.
A diagnosis of developmental dyslexia is not a judgment - it is the beginning of a journey that can lead to many successes and positive changes. The most important things are understanding, acceptance and daily support. The child with dyslexia needs not only patience, but above all self-confidence. Your presence, encouragement and calmness play a key role in building his confidence and motivation to learn.
Auditory processing and developmental dyslexia
Once a diagnosis of developmental dyslexia is confirmed, the next step may be to auditory processing assessment. This examination allows you to understand how your child perceives and interprets sounds - and therefore also words and speech. This makes it possible to tailor forms of support even more accurately and to help more effectively with daily functioning and learning.
However, it is worth remembering that not every child with reading and writing difficulties has dyslexia. Sometimes problems are caused by auditory processing disorder (CAPD) - Difficulties analysing and understanding sounds, despite normal physical hearing.
Symptoms of CAPD:
- the child often asks to repeat instructions,
- difficulty concentrating in noise,
- confusing similar-sounding words,
- problem with longer speeches,
- language learning difficulties.
At Kids Medic we carry out specialised central hearing testswhich make it possible to distinguish precisely between auditory processing disorder (CAPD) and other causes of learning difficulties.
Through accurate diagnosis, we can better understand a child's individual needs and select the most appropriate form of support. One effective method of working, particularly with auditory processing problems, is to Johansen IAS therapy.
Johansen therapy - not only for dyslexic children
Johansen IAS therapy (Individual Hearing Stimulation) is an effective, non-invasive a method to support the child's auditory and linguistic development. It consists of daily listening to individually selected sound recordings that stimulate auditory development and support cognitive functioning. Regular therapy helps to improve not only reading and speech comprehension skills, but also concentration, auditory memory and the child's general functioning.
Although often associated with dyslexia, it is also applicable to working with children with:
- CAPD (auditory processing disorder),
- delayed speech development,
- difficulties with concentration and attention,
- hyperactivity,
- emotional and anxiety difficulties,
- attention deficit disorder (ADHD),
- autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Children with ASD often have difficulty processing auditory stimuli - sounds that are too loud, noise or background conversations can overwhelm them and cause overload. Johansen therapy helps to regulate auditory sensitivity, improve concentration and support communication development.
Key benefits of Johansen therapy:
Regular application of Johansen therapy brings children a number of tangible benefits in auditory, cognitive and emotional development. Key outcomes include:
- improving auditory analysis and synthesis,
- improved auditory and visual concentration and attention,
- improving speech comprehension and reading fluency,
- facilitating language learning,
- development of auditory and sequential memory,
- calming and lowering the level of emotional tension,
- improving articulation and speech clarity,
- increasing the child's confidence and independence,
- supporting social functioning - especially in children on the autism spectrum.
What does Johansen therapy look like in practice?
Johansen therapy is convenient and easy to implement at home. The child listens for 10-15 minutes each day to specially selected sound recordings, individually adapted to his or her needs.
The therapy programme is regularly updated - every few weeks there is a progress check and possible modification of the recordings. The whole process is guided by certified child therapistwho supervises the correct course of therapy and adapts the pace to the child's abilities.
Bilateral integration - a movement that supports learning
In addition to working on auditory processing, in many cases it is also worthwhile to take care of development of motor coordination and cooperation of both brain hemispheres. One approach to support these areas is bilateral integration - the set of movement exerciseswhich plays a key role in the child's effective learning and daily functioning.
Children with bilateral integration difficulties may have problems with:
- motor coordination,
- spatial orientation,
- rewriting from the blackboard,
- concentration and attention.
Benefits of bilateral therapy:
- improving body coordination and fine and gross motor skills,
- a better understanding of space and movement,
- Stabilisation of lateralisation,
- an increase in self-control and self-confidence.
W Kids Medic diagnosis and therapy based on bilateral integration is provided by child therapist, adapting the exercise programme individually to the child's needs and abilities.
The role of the parent - invaluable support in the child's therapy
Successful therapy for a child is not only the work of specialists, but also the daily involvement of the parent.
For children with dyslexia, CAPD or developmental disorders, parental involvement is of paramount importance in building their confidence, motivation and self-confidence.
It is the parents who are the first to notice difficulties and react:
- daily motivate the child to work and exercise,
- create a calm, supportive home environment,
- build the child's sense of self-worth and self-confidence,
- maintain regular contact with specialists and therapists.
A child who feels understood and accepted is more willing to take on challenges, is more receptive to therapy and makes faster progress.
Comprehensive support for your child at Kids Medic
W Kids Medic We know how important an individual approach is. We offer comprehensive support - from specialist diagnosis to therapy tailored to your child's needs.
In our children's therapy centre in Warsaw will help you therapist, pedagogue and child psychologist - specialists who support not only children but also parents. We believe that we are a team together with you. You don't need to know all the answers. You just need to be - and we will help you take the next steps. This collaboration creates a safe space where the little patient can develop their skills, overcome difficulties and build confidence.
If you notice that your child needs support with reading, writing or auditory processing - we are here to help.
Photo source: Freepik.com
