Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a common learning disorder (sometimes referred to as a learning disability) that primarily affects the skills involved in reading, spelling, and writing. These are amongst the first skills children are taught when they start school. While all children learn at different rates, they may be showing signs of Dyslexia if they are having more significant and persistent difficulties with reading and spelling compared with others their age.  

Despite being one of the most common learning disorders in children, many people have questions about what exactly Dyslexia is, what causes it, and how it can affect children’s learning and development. This fact sheet will explore each of these and more to provide a comprehensive understanding of Dyslexia.  

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder (SLD) characterised by persistent difficulties with reading accuracy (known as decoding) and reading fluency and can be accompanied by poor spelling (known as encoding). It is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the phonological component of language. Dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence and is not linked to vision impairments, so children with Dyslexia may achieve well in other academic areas.

Dyslexia causes difficulties with identifying letters and their relationship to speech sounds, which leads to slow reading and poor reading accuracy. The ability to link spoken sounds with written letter symbols is crucial to reading, writing and spelling. Learning to read and write is a slow process, because written letters have no direct and obvious correlation with their sounds so for children who have Dyslexia and cannot create this link, reading becomes very difficult. These challenges can impact academic performance and self-esteem, making it essential to provide support and intervention.

It’s estimated that around one in 10 people have Dyslexia. It is a lifelong condition with no cure, but with early diagnosis, intervention and specialised education programs, children with Dyslexia can learn to read alongside their classmates.

Signs of Dyslexia in Children

Signs of Dyslexia can vary widely and can be hard to spot at an early age. Children and young people with Dyslexia can display some of the following characteristics to varying extents:

What Causes Dyslexia and Reading Difficulties?

The exact causes of Dyslexia remain unknown; but research suggests it is linked to genetic factors, often running in families. It is a condition present from birth and cannot be “caught” or developed later in life from external factors.
Differences in brain anatomy and activity have also been observed in the parts of the brain involved with language processing. These factors impact the way the brain can remember and correctly link sounds to written words, affecting both spoken and written language. This is why people with Dyslexia have difficulty with written language while their oral language (speaking and listening) abilities can be unaffected.

Some common factors that may contribute to Dyslexia include:

• Genetics: Family history of Dyslexia or other learning difficulties.
• Brain Anatomy: Structural differences in the parts of the brain that process language.

How is Dyslexia diagnosed?

For children with Dyslexia, early identification and intervention is crucial. Dyslexia can be hard to diagnose unless the signs are severe. Start by reaching out to your child’s school to get the teacher’s opinion. If your child’s reading skills are well below the expected level for their age, or you notice any of the above signs of Dyslexia, then you should consult a GP or paediatrician. A GP or paediatrician can perform ear, eye and medical tests to rule out other possible causes of your child’s reading difficulties and refer them for a formal assessment by a psychologist. You do not need a referral to book a comprehensive evaluation with a psychologist.

A comprehensive Dyslexia assessment by a psychologist may include:

• Family Questionnaire: Gathering information about your child’s developmental history, family history of learning disabilities and any other medical conditions that may impact their learning.
• Cognitive Testing: Evaluating intellectual abilities, memory, and processing speed to rule out other potential causes of learning difficulties.
• Academic or Educational assessment: Evaluating academic skills such as reading, writing, spelling, comprehension and mathematics.

Understand that it takes time to make a diagnosis of Dyslexia. Before an assessment can be undertaken, your child must have received six months of formal literacy instruction using effective reading approaches. For a psychologist to give a definitive diagnosis of Dyslexia, your child’s difficulties in reading and spelling words accurately and fluently must be greater than their difficulties in reading comprehension, writing or mathematics. If they also have difficulties in other academic areas, an alternate diagnosis such as Specific Learning Disorder may be made.

An evaluation by a speech pathologist may also assist.

How Families Can Help Their Child

Remember, as a parent, carer or family member of a child with Dyslexia, you are their most important ally and advocate. There is a lot you can do to improve their academic success and sense of self-worth. Emotional support and opportunities for achievement in activities that do not involve reading are important for children with Dyslexia.

Important strategies to consider include:

• Intervene Early: As soon as you or your child’s teacher may suspect there is an issue with their reading or spelling, put a plan in place, such as a Synthetic Phonics intervention, and have them assessed so that you have a clear understanding of their challenges and needs.
• Help Your Child Understand Dyslexia: Explain to your child what Dyslexia is and that it is not a personal failure. Your child will be able to deal with things much better if they understand it is nothing to do with intelligence and is something they can learn to navigate.
• Read Aloud with Your Child: Practice identifying letters and matching with the corresponding sounds in everyday reading opportunities such as menus, signs or bedtime stories.
• Provide Many Opportunities for Practice: Use multi-sensory activities that incorporate gross and fine motor skills as visual and tactile activities to help reinforce reading and spelling skills. This could include using letter tiles, tracing words, sensory bins or phonics I Spy.
• Create a Supportive Home Learning Environment: Provide a quiet, organised place for your child to work, and designate a study time. Limit screen time and make sure your child gets enough rest and eats regular, healthy meals.
• Communicate Frequently with Your Child’s Teachers: Check on their progress in school and find out what you can do at home to further support them. Advocate for your child if you feel extra support or special teaching arrangements may help them.
• Be Supportive: Troubles with reading may affect your child’s self-esteem. Encourage them by praising the small steps they take in their schoolwork, and their talents and strengths. Emphasise the importance of effort and perseverance over succeeding every time.
• Join a Support Group: Get in touch with parents whose children face similar learning difficulties. Support groups can take on many forms including in-person gatherings or Facebook Groups and provide useful information and emotional support. Your health professional may be able to recommend support groups in your area.

Common myths about Dyslexia

Despite its prevalence, there are still many misconceptions about Dyslexia. Some common myths include:

Myth 1: People with Dyslexia aren’t smart

Dyslexia is not linked to intelligence. Individuals with Dyslexia can have good reading comprehension, problem-solving and creative thinking skills. With support in reading, children can achieve success in their learning.

Myth 2: Dyslexia can be outgrown

There is no cure for Dyslexia. It is a lifelong condition that can continue to have impacts throughout a person’s life. With the right strategies, people can learn to navigate their challenges with reading.

Myth 3: People with Dyslexia See Letters Backwards

This is perhaps one of the most common misconceptions about Dyslexia. Dyslexia is not a problem with vision. Letter reversals often happen as a normal part of development and are related to visual processing and bilateral integration. It is normal to see a child seeing or writing letters backwards until about 7 years of age.