5 signs of Dyslexia during preschool years

Dr. Devon Redmond provides this summary which is adapted from Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D.

OD_book

A substantial number of enthusiastic, cooperative and bright children may experience significant difficulty with learning to read.  We now understand that dyslexia has a neurological basis, and fortunately, it is now possible to accurately identify children who have dyslexia from an early age and treat and remediate their difficulties. 

Early identification and treatment has been associated with very positive outcomes Parents can play an active role in the early identification of a reading problem.  The following are clues to dyslexia during the preschool years.  The first clue to a language (and reading problem) may be delayed language.  Once your child is speaking, look for the following difficulties:

The Preschool Years

1.  Trouble learning common nursery rhymes such as ‚ÄúJack and Jill‚Äù and ‚ÄúHumpty Dumpty‚Äù

2.  A lack of appreciation of rhymes

3.  Mispronounced words or persistent baby talk

4.  Difficulty learning (and remembering) names of letters

5.  Failure to know the letters in his/her own name

If your child has some of these problems, note how frequent they are and how many there are.  You don‚Äôt need to worry about isolated clues or ones that appear rarely.  If you are concerned about a consistent pattern of problems, you may wish to consult with his or her pediatrician, who can then make a referral for further psycho-educational evaluation, if appropriate.  

Learn more about services for dyslexia at Child and Family Development here.