Dr. Arun Babu

Children, especially from a very young age, may show symptoms of dyslexia. Every case of dyslexia is unique to each child and there are many common traits and behaviours that denote a person to be dyslexic. Educate yourself on the symptoms and signs and keep a keen eye on the appearance of each one of them.

Here are five common signs of dyslexia.

1. Unable to read or face complications while reading: A dyslexic child will have a problem when he/she is reading something. You may think that this is because they are young and they will learn it in time, but that may not be the case always. Follow their complication, like whether they are able to read very basic paragraphs designed for kids their age or lower and you will be able to understand if the child is dyslexic or not. If they are unable to read even an extremely easy sentence, then you should take further steps to cure them.
2. Problems in pronouncing words correctly: A dyslexic child will have extreme difficulty in pronouncing easy words even after they are taught to do so. In many cases, a dyslexic child is unable to utter the word, let alone the mispronunciation. These are very trivial and hence are brushed over, but you should ponder on them and consult a professional to take appropriate steps.
3. Alphabet and/or number reversal: A child suffering from dyslexia has a tendency to reverse alphabets or numbers, like using a different alphabet or a number at a wrong position. This is known as transposing. Moreover, they often write down alphabets and numbers in reverse, like a mirror image. This is one of the surest tests of dyslexia. If it happens once, then you can move on, but if it recurs, even after they are told not to, then there is a cause for concern.
4. Omission of words, sounds, or letters while reading and writing: A dyslexic child will omit any letter or word while reading or writing at their own free will. There is no way to point out which one they will omit, but the trend depends on any difficult word that fails to register with them.
5. Problems regarding writing tools: A child with dyslexia will face extreme difficulty (which gradually multiplies) when using pencils, pens, crayons, and even erasers. It is as if they are unable to understand the purpose of them and don’t know what to do with these tools.

Dyslexia is not that common and in most cases, the symptoms are overlooked and the child is deemed “slow” and a late bloomer. So it is necessary to keep in mind these symptoms and take advice from a specialist to deal with the situation.