dyslexia children's check list

Jumbled LettersThe following dyslexia children's checklist may indicate a child is dyslexic – they do not need to have all of these problems. However, if these problems continue beyond the time that the average child has grown out of them, they may indicate dyslexia and advice should be sought.


For ease of reading he should be transposed for she when appropriate.


dyslexia: reading & spelling

When your child reads and spells, does 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 in keeping the correct place on a line and frequently loses his place?
* Read correctly but does not understand what he is reading?

 

dyslexia: writing

Even after frequent instruction does he still:
* Not know whether to use his 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?
* Use margins and does his writing slope on the page?
* 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 he a late developer?
* Is he easily distracted and has poor concentration?
* Does he get confused between: left/right, east/west, up/down, over/under?
* Does he hold a pen too tightly and awkwardly?
* Does he have problems telling the time?
* Problems with tying shoelaces etc?
* 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).
* Particular difficulty copying from a blackboard.
* Confusion with mathematical symbols (plus/minus etc).
* Short-term memory problems relating to printed words and instructions.
* Inability to follow more than one instruction at a time.
* Cannot use a dictionary or telephone directory.
* Does he have sequencing difficulties:
* Alphabet
* Nursery rhymes
* Months of the year
* Numbers in tables?

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