dysTalk Flip - Symptoms Of Dyslexia - Dyslexia - Forum - dysTalk

Hi, my dad and brother have dyslexia and now I am wondering if I do as well. I have just finished a post-graduate degree - which was an epic challenge!

However, I dont seem to have the written and reasing problems (except that I read slow, really struggle to absorb information and read repeadely to understand etc), but I can spell etc etc. Nevertheless, I have spent an eternity thinking that I am just a bit of a freak really and have an dominant kinisthetic learning style, thus I have told my self this is why I struggle so much - I got top marks on practical and oral tests, but scrapped by on essays.

BUT, I get really frustrated, bored and angry trying to sit still and listen to lectures, I definately 'zone out', really struggle to recal auditory information and cant add up for the life of me in my head! I over plan and have become a bit of an organising nut - because else I cant function.

I didnt complete my dissertation as I couldnt sort the structure of it out, despite getting most of it done and having help, I just couldnt do it. Thus, I would look in to a professional test but as I cant afford it (as I just graduated so havent got a job yet, but as I dont noticably mix up letters etc, I dont know if its worth it and think I may just get strange looks for asking for one. I had a basic test done at college almost 20 years ago and was just told that 'I was slow', not terribly helpful!

Any help or responces would be emmencely appreciated as I do feel so different in how I learn and understand things. Many thanks, Hopeful Erica.

21/09/2011 18:15:13
Erica Monroe

Is this dyslexia when she can't seem to finish a project, even a small one that she wanted to do? She is behind in school because she starts a project, paper, etc. and never seems to finish it. Thought she was stubborn, now wondering if it is something else...

02/04/2011 16:47:13
Julie

We frequently see letter reversal as a sign of dyslexia and we conclude that the students do not see the letters properly. But how often do we show the student a d and b and ask if they are they same? I think it is wrong to assume the child sees the reversal because they write it or say it incorrectly.

Perhaps it is a perceptual problem, but make sure before you try to remediate perception. Perhaps it is a production problem, that is, not input but output. An effective treatment would be very different for an input vs an output problem.

04/07/2009 19:53:51
DigitalDRZ (Member)

There was an interesting piece in the TES, April 2009, that listed risk signs of dyslexia taken from the Dyslexia Action website. Hope you find it useful:

- Lack of phonological awareness - difficulty sounding out words or letter combinations.

- Making unexpected errors when reading aloud or reading the wrong word. Slow to read and understand text.

- Having difficulties with spelling, copying or writing, despite good oral skills.

- Struggling with sequencing. This may show in problems learning times tables, days of the week or months of the year.

- Poor short-term memory.

- Confusing names, directions, objects or using spoonerisms such as 'par cark.'

- Low self-esteem or stress.

- If a parent or sibling has similar difficulties.

27/05/2009 19:07:06
Will

I think the most tell tale sign, especially for boys, is behavior - this was apparent in my son from age 5 to 8 and until he was told he had Dyslexia. Inability to concentrate, sit still and as they get older devising ''silly'' tactics to distract the class and teacher from the task at hand. It was through behaviour that we were able to tell something was wrong before any of the other symptoms. Also, every time reading something was suggested elaborate negotiating tactics to avoid it and changing of the subject that were very clever. These type of behavioural symptoms always come up if he is faced with something he can't do or understand -ie French written tests at school.

04/03/2009 21:50:34
Jeannie Cameron

For some kids, their brain doesn't interpret the separate lines and curves plus the different ''facing directions'' that make up each individual letter in the same way most of us do. To help students learn to see the letters of the alphabet and numbers as a series of lines and curves that form distinctly different letters and numbers, students can use Dot Patterns series discussed on the Teach All Kids website.

14/02/2009 06:27:07
TAKlinda (Member)

Not all symptoms are academic based it can be a whole life thing.

Short term memory poor.

Inconsistacy in work and mood.

Frustration.

Avoidence of diffucult tasks e.g. reading or writing.

Headaches - especially if dyslexia is visual.

Falling confidence/self -esteem.

Shows exceptional talent in a particular area e.g music, sport, art.

Poor organisational skills - even things like getting dressed - I lost count of the times my son forgot to take his pyjamas off before putting his trousers on!

17/10/2008 20:11:23
Claire

Poor concentration - fidgeting when they need to be concentrating usually a sign of frustration and once this happens they will not take in what they are learning.

Easily annoyed

squinting when reading (not due to poor eye-sight)

unable to recall what they have just read

01/10/2008 19:58:02
Danielle

Here are the things I would suggest you look out for (not an exhaustive list by any stretch):

a) Spelling and reading difficulties (ie for their age)

b) seeing letters the wrong way round (d vs b and q vs p are the tricky ones)

c) putting letters and numbers the wrong way round eg 69 as 96.

d) lack of automation: struggling to do two things at once. Even completely automated skills such as balancing can be a struggle for dyslexics if you ask them to do something else at the same time. Similarly things that we all learn to the point of automation (eg days of the week, months, alphabet etc can be difficult).

e) Learning to talk late and mixing up pronunciation (obviously all kids do this when learning to speak but if they seem to do so further down the line that can be sign of dyslexia)

f) bad handwriting

g) Can't tell left from right.

Can anyone think of any I may have left off?

01/10/2008 15:05:20
Anne

My son is in his first year of school is struggling with the basics, I'm worried as he seems a little behind in class. Can anyone tell me what symptoms I should look out for in case he has dyslexia?

19/09/2008 17:42:46
Claire