Research abstract

Do I have dyslexia? Explaining Symptoms and Myths for Kids

Have you recently discovered that your child has dyslexia? Visit our website for an informative article about the proper way to deliver the news to your child, along with other important information. By Erica Warren

Laura Lurns Last updated March 20, 2017 · 1 min read

Dyslexia can impede children’s learning and it is a very important diagnosis for parents to know of and understand. However, is it prudent and useful to have the child with the condition knows about it? That may be an issue for each individual parent and child to wrestle through, with help from educators.

There are several benefits to explaining dyslexia to kids. Dyslexia often has recognizable signs and symptoms, and people with dyslexia are not of lower intelligence.

However, if it seems wise to teach your child about dyslexia, she should know that there are things that are true about dyslexia and things that are sometimes believed yet are not true about dyslexia. It is, of course, true that there are specific signs that can indicate dyslexia, signs like difficulty reading aloud, a tendency to transpose letters and trouble with concepts like organization, punctuality and more. Perhaps, most importantly, it is crucial to assure children that dyslexia is merely indicative of the brain learning in a different way than some other children do and not a wrong way. It is not evidence that a child is, for example, stupid, or not trying hard enough.

Key takeaways

Those diagnosed with dyslexia should be praised and not demeaned because they rely on self-esteem to succeed.
Check for support in a dyslexic student’s availability to individual technology or assistance in education.
Find the strength in a child with dyslexia and use it to assist in teaching further concepts and also raise their self-esteem.

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A screener is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If your child might need formal accommodations (an IEP or 504 plan), or you suspect a vision, hearing or medical cause, pursue a professional evaluation too. That is the only route to those supports.

Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert Writes about the learning brain for parents who want plain answers. Every article is grounded in current neuroscience and classroom practice.

There are several benefits to explaining dyslexia to kids. Dyslexia often has recognizable signs and symptoms, and people with dyslexia are not of lower intelligence.

Key takeaways

Is your child struggling in school?

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