Symptoms/Indicators of Dyslexia – Children 7+ Years

Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), appearing as severe difficulties with literacy skills.

Symptoms/Indicators of Dyslexia – Seven Plus

* Age Range approximately from age 7 to 11 years

If a child has several of these indicators, further investigations should be made.  Likewise, if these issues continue beyond the time that the average child has grown out of them, they may indicate dyslexia, and advice should be sought.

Dyslexia: Reading & Spelling

When the student reads and spells, does s/he frequently:

• Confuse letters that look similar: d – b; u – n; m – n?
• Confuse letters that sound the same: v; f; th?
• Reverse words: was – saw; now – won?
• Transpose words: left – felt?
• Read a word correctly, and then further down the page, read it wrong?
• Change words around: the cat sat on the mat (the mat sat on the cat)?
• Confuse small words: of, for, from?
  When reading, has difficulty keeping the correct place on a line and frequently loses his/her place?
• Read correctly but does not understand what s/he is reading?

Dyslexia: Writing

Even after frequent instruction, does s/he still:

• Not know whether to use his/her right or left hand?
• Leave out capital letters or use them in the wrong places?
• Forget to dot the ‘i’s and cross ‘t’s?
• Form letters and numbers badly?
• Slope his/her writing, even when using margins and guidelines?
• Use punctuation and paragraphs in the wrong places, or not at all?

Dyslexia: Other Indicators

• Is there a family history of dyslexia or similar difficulties?
• Was s/he a late developer?
• Is s/he easily distracted and has poor concentration?
• Does s/he get confused between:
  • left/right;
  • east/west;
  • up/down;
  • over/under?
• Does s.he hold a pen too tightly and awkwardly?
• Does s/he have problems telling the time?
• Does s/he have problems with tying shoelaces etc?
• Does s/he have short-term memory problems relating to printed words and instructions?
• Mixed laterality (i.e. uses either right or left hands or eyes in writing and other tasks).
• Does s/he have particular difficulty copying from a blackboard?
• Does s/he have confusion with mathematical symbols (plus/minus etc.)?
• Does s/he have short-term memory problems relating to printed words and instructions?
• Does s/he have the inability to follow more than one instruction at a time?
• Is s/he unable to use a dictionary or telephone directory?
• Does s/he have sequencing difficulties:
  • alphabet;
  • nursery rhymes;
  • months of the year;
  • numbers in tables?

Early Diagnosis is the key to success!

The earlier dyslexia is diagnosed, the easier it is to ensure the child receives the correct support at home and school. Although there is no cure for dyslexia, research has shown the problems can be alleviated with the proper tuition.

Please bear in mind that children vary tremendously at this age. An Educational Psychologist and some other specialists can diagnose someone with Dyslexia.

This is a guide only and does not constitute medical or psychological advice.

If you are concerned about your child, you should seek professional advice as early as possible.

Maria Chivers & Dr David E Cowell – 2019
www.dyslexiaa2z.com