What is Dyslexia and how to address it?

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects a person’s ability to read, spell, and process written language despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and proper motivation. It is one of the most common learning disabilities, affecting about 1 in 10 children.

Reading is a complex process that involves visual processing, sound recognition, memory, and comprehension. For children with dyslexia, one or more of these processes works differently. It does not mean the child is lazy or not trying hard enough. Instead, their brain processes language in a different way.

Reading readiness vs Dyslexia

It’s important to understand that not all difficulties with reading are due to dyslexia. Some children may simply need more time to develop reading readiness skills. This includes:

• Developing phonemic awareness (hearing and manipulating sounds in words)
• Recognizing letters and sounds
• Building vocabulary through spoken language

Every child develops at their own pace. A delay in reading alone is not enough to diagnose dyslexia. Dyslexia is typically marked by a pattern of persistent difficulties, even with good teaching and support.

Signs of Dyslexia

While signs can vary, here are some common indicators to look out for:

In preschool:

• Delay in speaking or learning new words
• Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or rhyming games
• Trouble recognizing letters or remembering the alphabet

In primary school:

• Difficulty learning to read or spell
• Trouble matching letters with sounds
• Reversing letters like b/d or writing words backwards
• Slow or labored reading
• Avoiding reading aloud

In older children:

• Difficulty summarizing stories
• Poor spelling or inconsistent writing
• Trouble learning foreign languages
• Struggles with reading comprehension

Types of Dyslexia

Dyslexia is not a one-size-fits-all condition. There are different types that affect children in different ways:

• Visual Dyslexia: Difficulty processing and remembering visual information, such as letters and words. The child might skip words or lose their place while reading.
• Auditory Dyslexia: Also known as phonological dyslexia. The child struggles to hear and manipulate the sounds in words, making it hard to decode unfamiliar words.
• Deep Dyslexia: A more complex type that affects both visual and auditory processing. Children may read a word as a completely different word or struggle with understanding the meaning of words.

Knowing the type of dyslexia a child experiences can help tailor support strategies effectively.

How is Dyslexia Diagnosed?

Dyslexia is diagnosed through a comprehensive evaluation that looks at how a child processes language, rather than just whether they can read or write well. The goal of the diagnosis is not to label the child but to better understand their learning profile and provide the right support.

Who can assess dyslexia?

A formal diagnosis is usually made by a:

• Clinical or educational psychologist
• Special educators trained in learning assessments
• Speech-language therapist (especially when language processing is a concern)

These professionals use standardized tools and observation to understand how the child thinks, learns, and responds to different types of instruction.

What does the evaluation include?

A dyslexia assessment may include:

• Background history: Early development, school performance, and family history of learning differences
• Language and reading assessments: Testing how the child sounds out words, understands what they read, and connects letters to sounds
• Memory and processing skills: Checking how quickly they process spoken or written language
• Observation: Watching how the child approaches reading and writing tasks in different settings
• Emotional and behavioral screening: Looking at how learning challenges may be affecting the child’s self-esteem or motivation

This process is supportive and strengths-based. It’s not about finding what’s “wrong,” but discovering how the child learns best.

When should a diagnosis be considered?

If your child has had access to good teaching and regular reading practice but still shows persistent difficulties in reading, spelling, or written work, despite their efforts, it may be helpful to explore an evaluation. Early identification means early support, which can make a big difference in a child’s learning journey.

Tips for parents to support children with Dyslexia

1. Be patient and encouraging: Reading may be frustrating, but your reassurance makes a big difference.
2. Focus on strengths: Many children with dyslexia are creative, imaginative, good at problem-solving, and verbally expressive. Celebrate what they do well.
3. Use multisensory techniques: Support reading with audio books, colored overlays, tracing letters in sand, or using apps designed for children with dyslexia.
4. Read together regularly: Let reading be a shared, low-pressure activity. Read to them and have them read aloud when they feel ready.
5. Allow extra time: Give your child more time to complete reading or writing tasks. Don’t rush them.
6. Break tasks down: Divide larger reading or writing assignments into smaller, more manageable parts.
7. Use technology: Tools like text-to-speech apps, audiobooks, or speech-to-text software can help make learning more accessible.
8. Create a calm environment: Children with dyslexia may get easily overwhelmed. A quiet, clutter-free reading space can be helpful.
9. Work with educators: Collaborate with teachers or special educators to create individualized learning plans.
10. Seek a formal evaluation: If you suspect dyslexia, a psychologist or special educator can do assessments to provide clarity and help build a support plan.

As you explore signs of learning disabilities, remember that each child is different. No child will show all symptoms, and some signs may overlap with other learning differences. Dyslexia can exist alongside ADHD, dysgraphia, or even giftedness.

Take time to observe your child across different settings and tasks. If multiple signs persist over time and impact your child’s learning, it may be worth getting a professional opinion.

Explore other learning disabilities

Take a moment to also explore and learn about:

• Dyscalculia: Difficulty understanding numbers and math concepts
• Dysgraphia: Difficulty with writing and fine motor skills
• Dyspraxia: Coordination and planning difficulties

Need help?

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual or developmental disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help.

Call/WhatsApp us at 844-844-8996

Our counselors speak English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

Disclaimer

This guide is for information purposes only. Please consult a qualified health practitioner for proper guidance.