How can you tell if a person has dyslexia?
A definite diagnosis of dyslexia requires a full diagnostic assessment, carried out by a highly qualified professional. The report on an assessment provides information on the nature and severity of the difficulties, and should include recommendations for supporting the individual. The repoort constitutes formal evidence of dyslexia
A dyslexia screen ia a systematic search for signs that dyslexia may be present. The result will estimate the risk that the person has dyslexia. A screen cannot provide a definitive diagnosis of dyslexia, but it may provide useful insights into the general areas of difficulty.
A quick way to decide whether to investigate possible dyslexia is to look at an indicator checklist, like the ones below.
- Look at the indicators for the age of the person you are thinking about .
- Also look at the indicators for a younger person. Do these still apply? Did some apply when the person was younger?
- If several indicators are present, further investigation may be advisable.
- A family history of dyslexia makes it more likely that the person you are considering also has dyslexia.
Preschool children
- a history of delays in speaking, making sentences or pronouncing words correctly
- other members of the family have similar difficulties
- history of "glue ear" difficulties
- history of asthma or eczema
- inability to remember the labels for known objects (e.g. colour names)
- difficulty learning nursery rhymes
- did not crawl before walking
Children aged 5 to 9
- particular difficulty learning to read, write and spell
- prefers construction toys (e.g. Lego) to books
- persistent and continued reversing of letters and figures (e.g. 15 for 51 and b for d)
- difficulty telling left from right
- difficulty learning the alphabet and multiplication tables
- difficulty remembering sequences such as the days of the week and months of the year
- difficulty in kicking or catching a ball or skipping
- difficulty with tying shoe laces and dressing
- difficulty with concentration and paying attention
- in other ways a bright and alert child
Children aged 9 to 12
- continued mistakes in reading or has problems understanding what he/she has read
- continued mistakes in spelling, perhaps with letters missed out or in the wrong order
- taking longer than average over written work
- difficulty making calculations without using fingers or marks on paper
- difficulty copying accurately from blackboard or textbook
- difficulty remembering and following oral instructions
- disorganised at home and school
- lack of self-confidence and increasing frustration
Teenagers
- tendency to read inaccurately and without adequate comprehension
- inconsistent spelling
- difficulty with planning and writing essays
- difficulty getting started and completing work
- tendency to get "tied up" using long words (e.g. preliminary, philosophical)
- tendency to confuse verbal instructions
- great difficulty in learning a foreign language
- low self-esteem
- frustration has led to behavioural or emotional difficulties
Adults
- 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 & forgets items & information
If you want to discuss your concerns, call our confidential Helpline on 0115 924 6888.
We can provide dyslexia screens and assessments for children and adults. These may be appropriate for a person who has not been diagnosed with dyslexia, but shows many indicators.
We can provide dyslexia screens and assessments for children and adults. These may be appropriate for a person who has not been diagnosed with dyslexia, but shows many indicators.
