Dyslexia

More Than Just Letter Reversals

Characteristics of Dyslexia

Most dyslexics will exhibit about 10 of the following traits and behaviours. These characteristics can vary from day-to-day or minute-to-minute. The most consistent thing about dyslexics is their inconsistency.

General

Appears bright, highly intelligent and articulate, but unable to read, write or spell at grade level
Labelled lazy, dumb, careless, immature, "not trying hard enough" or "behavior problem"
Isn't "behind enough" or "bad enough" to be helped in the school setting
High in IQ, yet may not test well academically; tests well orally, but not written
Feels dumb; has poor self-esteem; hides or covers up weaknesses with ingenious compensatory strategies; easily frustrated and emotional about school reading or testing
Talented in art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, story-telling, sales, business, designing, building or engineering
Seems to "zone out" or daydream often; gets lost easily or loses track of time
Difficulty sustaining attention; seems "hyper" or "daydreamer"
Learns best through hands-on experience, demonstrations, experimentation, observation and visual aids

Reading and Spelling

Complains of dizziness, headaches or stomach aches while reading
Confused by letters, numbers, words, sequences or verbal explanations
Reading or writing shows repetitions, additions, transpositions, omissions, substitutions and reversals in letters, numbers and/or words
Complains of feeling or seeing non-existent movement while reading, writing or copying
Seems to have difficulty with vision, yet eye exams don't reveal a problem
Extremely keen sighted and observant or lacks depth perception and peripheral vision
Reads and rereads with little comprehension
Spells phonetically and inconsistently

Hearing and Speech

Has extended hearing; hears things not said or apparent to others; easily distracted by sounds
Difficulty putting thoughts into words; speaks in halting phrases; leaves sentences incomplete; stutters under stress; mispronounces long words or transposes phrases, words and syllables when speaking

Writing and Motor Skills

Trouble with writing or copying; pencil grip is unusual; handwriting varies or is illegible
Clumsy, uncoordinated, poor at ball or team sports; difficulties with fine and/or gross motor skills and tasks; prone to motion-sickness
Can be ambidextrous and often confuses left/right, over/under

Math and Time Management

Has difficulty telling time, managing time, learning sequenced information or tasks or being on time
Computing math shows dependence on finger counting and other tricks; knows answers, but can't do it on paper
Can count, but has difficulty counting objects and dealing with money
Can do arithmetic, fails word problems; cannot grasp algebra or higher math

Memory and Cognition

Excellent long-term memory for experiences, locations and faces
Poor memory for sequences, facts and information that has not been experienced
Thinks primarily with images and feeling, not sounds or words (little internal dialogue)

Behaviour, Health, Development and Personality

Extremely disorderly or compulsively orderly
Can be class clown, trouble-maker or too quiet
Had unusually early or late developmental stages (talking, crawling, walking, tying shoes)
Prone to ear infections; sensitive to foods, additives and chemical products
Can be an extra deep or light sleeper; bedwetting beyond appropriate age
Unusually high or low tolerance for pain
Strong sense of justice; emotionally sensitive; strives for perfection
Mistakes and symptoms increase dramatically with confusion, time pressure, emotional stress or poor health