Diagnosis
Whilst a diagnosis of dyslexia can only be assured by either an AMBDA qualified specialist or an educational psychologist, there are indicators to look out for in different age groups.
A preschool child may:
have a history of delays in speaking, making sentences or pronouncing words correctly;
have a history of ‘glue ear’ or similar early childhood difficulties;
find it hard to remember the names of familiar objects, e.g. spoon, cup;
have difficulty learning nursery rhymes;
have other members of the family with similar difficulties.
A primary school age child may:
have particular difficulty learning to read, write and spell;
have difficulty remembering sequences such as the alphabet and months of the year;
have difficulty telling left from right;
have difficulty copying accurately from board or textbook;
have difficulty remembering and following oral instructions;
have persistent and continued reversing of letters and figures, e.g. ’15’ for 51, ‘b’ for d;
take longer than average over written work;
experience lack of self-confidence and increasing frustration;
in other ways be a bright and alert child.
A secondary school age child may have:
a tendency to read inaccurately and without adequate comprehension;
inconsistent spelling;
difficulty with planning and writing essays;
difficulty getting started and completing work;
a tendency to get ‘tied up’ using long words, e.g. preliminary, philosophical;
a tendency to confuse verbal instructions, places, times and dates;
greater difficulty in learning a foreign language;
low self-esteem;
frustration which has led to behavioural or emotional difficulties;
disorganised at home and school.
Indicators of dyslexia in an adult:
difficulty with map reading;
difficulty filling in forms and writing reports;
tendency to miss and confuse appointment times;
concerns about training or promotion;
difficulty structuring work schedules;
low opinion of capabilities;
constantly loses and forgets items and information.
