Here are some signs that children might be dyslexic - none of these are diagnostic by themselves, but are indicators that a proper assessment would be helpful:-
A family history
of reading/writing/spelling difficulties.
May be left
handed or 'cross-lateral' (a mixture of right- and left- handed/eyed/footed/hearing).
Was late learning
to talk, walk, tie shoe laces or tell the time.
Was late learing
to read.
Has problems
with co-ordination - such as clumsyness and difficulties with ball games.
May have excellent
spatial abilities - visualising 2D things in 3D.
Poor short term
memory.
Disorganised
and untidy.
Lack of self
control (but not hyperactive).
Has difficulties
in naming things or people.
Was late in
learning joined-up writing.
Goes over the
lines when colouring-in shapes.
Has difficulties
in copying words and shapes.
Has strong sense of 'fairness'.
Has difficulties with reading, such as:-
Dislikes
reading aloud.
Makes
up the story using pictures and key-words; or adds words..
Loses
place, misses lines, or repeats lines.
Has
difficulty prounoncing words or guesses how to pronounce them.
Gets
some words back to front.
Ignores
punctuation or rhythm of the writing.
Has difficulties with writing and spelling:
Writing
varies in shape and my not be in straight lines.
Writes
mirror images of letters and or words.
Gets
the right letters in the wrong order.
Omits
or adds letters.
Spells
words how they sound - e.g. 'bizzy' for 'busy'.
Runs
words into each other (e.g. inthe).
Poor
use of punctation.
Compensatory behaviour:
Finds
excuses not to read aloud.
Uses
humour to cover poor reading, writing and spelling abilities.
May
have a photographic memory and use it in for spelling tests!
May
be a compulsive list maker and be very organised.
Further reading:-
Hornsby B, 1984, Overcoming dyslexia. A straightforward guide for families and teachers. Macdonald Optima, London. 140pp.