October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month. Did you know that dyslexia affects as much as 10%-20% of the entire worlds population and makes up 80%-90% of those with specific learning disabilities in the school populations.
Little is known about dyslexia by educators who help students every day. As parents, we have to be armed with the information and knowledge to advocate for our children who may struggle with reading and writing fluently.
RELATED READING :: Early signs of Dyslexia
Despite its commonality, it is often hidden, and for many, remains a struggle even into adulthood. Homework, class projects, and many other “simple tasks” can require great effort and often students do not receive the correct support, leaving them discouraged and parents feeling helpless.
Shinning a light on dyslexia–its characteristics, strategies or accommodations, as well as proper instruction–spreads awareness and helps others to understand dyslexia and other related disorders.
Here are some possible signs of dyslexia (varies from child to child):
-Learning letters and their sounds
-Organizing written and spoken language
-Memorizing number facts
-Reading quickly enough to comprehend
-Persisting with and comprehending longer reading assignments
-Spelling
-Difficulty with phonological skills including phonemic awareness
-Difficulty with rapid naming tasks including letters and numbers
-Difficulty reading words in isolation and in context
This is not an exhaustive list; dyslexia and related disorders manifest differently in each child. If you have concerns about your child’s academic progress, talk to their teacher, and reach out to education professionals. Evaluation of their strengths and needs as well as early intervention is key. Let’s erase the stigma surrounding dyslexia and other related disorders. Talk about it, seek help and support.
For more information about dyslexia and related disorders visit:
International Dyslexia Association
Learning Ally: Audiobooks for Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities
