How do you know if your child might be dyslexic?

My daughter is 5 yrs old and ever since she started to write at the age of 2 she has gotten numbers and letters backwords. I thought that it might be normal since she is young but now I have noticed that she is begining to learn to read she will spell out a word backwords and she always starts at the right instead of going from left to right. Am I just being paranoid? Or is this something I should look into? Thank You for reading.

Parent Answers to "How do you know if your child might be dyslexic?"

View 9 answers: Newest-Oldest, Oldest-Newest
Display fewer answers

The best thing to do is to get it checked out on a professional level as soon as possible so that it won't be more difficult to deal with later, and embarrassment won't set in for your child later provided that there is something to be concerned about. I went undiagnosed for many, many, many years and it caused me to be embarrassed at school and not admit that I had a problem. I just though that I was a slow learner. It will cause bad grades later if you don't nip it early. Yes, be concerned, but don't panic. My brother was the good side of the story. He was diagnosed and had the proper classes and care which resulted in much better grades. He graduated, I didn't. Hope this helps.

Most educators will tell you that before age 7 it is perfectly normal to write backwards. My daughter is also five and has the same issues, however she corrects herself most of the time. I was told just to encourage her to write the numbers and letters the correct way, and not to be overly concerned with it at this point. Good mom's are always worrying, so no your not paranoid. Just a good concerned mommy.

Thank you very much. He just wrote letters today from right to left and many were backwards. I will be glad to be catching this early.

If you suspect that your child is dyslexic, it is smart to go ahead and ask for multisensory interventions in school. The earlier you begin to address the situation, the fewer frustrations and self-esteem issues you will have to work through later. Any multisensory intervention research-proven to help with struggling readers will benefit your child even if it turns out that her symptoms are developmental. In other words, no harm-only progress. Waiting adds to the problem. To learn more about it, see www.interdys.org. After working for 15 years specializing in reading disabilities, the best results with fairly severe situations have come from those that start right after Kindergarten.

My son wrote his name completely backwards a few times and still does 2 and 5's. I have heard this is typical and to keep and eye on it. I have seen him progress. He is in K and was in city preschool. He is also left handed, i think it is a natural pattern to move their arm is from right to left and think they should read that way too. I use my finger on the book when i read with him to show him how to do it.

You are quite welcome. Glad to be able to help.

Regardless of whether or not your child has dyslexia, did you know that nearly all children who are dyslexic can end up performing at grade level and may never need to be identified as having a learning disability if the right type of interventions and instruction is provided? Really its just about meeting a child at his/her need and helping him/her to be successful.

(6340869)

Thank you so much for your help!

Children may write letters backwords as part of thier progression toward learning to write. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are dyslexic.

Here are some additional signs that might help you determine if further investigation is warranted:

www.dys-add.com/symptoms.html

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of GreatSchools. GreatSchools does not check for accuracy in community posts or verify the contributor’s identity. If you are searching for health-related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Community Guidelines for more details.

Colfax
Local Q&A Change City

How did you choose a preschool in Colfax?

How does public school enrollment work in Colfax? What do parents need to know?

What preschool do you think is great in Colfax? Why?

Ask a question about Colfax >

Local Q&A is brand new! What do you think? Give us your feedback in our feedback forum.

How do you know if your child might be dyslexic?

Parent Answers to "How do you know if your child might be dyslexic?"

Change City

ColfaxLocal Q&A Change City

Colfax
Local Q&A Change City