Does my child have dyslexia?

Most cases of dyslexia are diagnosed in elementary school, and while kindergarten may be too early for an official diagnosis, the signs of dyslexia often begin to show at this age. Dyslexia is a learning disorder which affects the brain’s ability to turn letters, or phonemes, into sounds. It’s actually not at all uncommon, and you’ll find dyslexics in all walks of life, from doctors and lawyers to teachers and scientists. Dyslexics must make some accommodations and learn to read using a different part of their brain, but they can definitely learn to read.

The earlier dyslexia is diagnosed, the easier it is for a child to accommodate for. Some signs of dyslexia include trouble with reading and writing, reading slower than one’s peers, and difficulty with rhyming words too. Though kids can compensate to a degree, these signs are often apparent to the trained eye by 2^nd grade. Dyslexia often occurs with one or more other learning disabilities, with dysgraphia (difficulty with handwriting) being one of the more common. Some kids may also have learning difficulties with math, or in some other developmental area.