Guide to Understanding A Specific Learning Disorder in Reading (Dyslexia)

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities. Even though it is commonly referred to as “Dyslexia,” it is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder called a “Specific Learning Disorder.” This diagnosis can be individualized for children who struggle with reading (Dyslexia), writing, or math. If your child is diagnosed by a psychologist, a Specific Learning Disorder in Reading will be the diagnosis referenced in their report.

While children with Dyslexia have an unusually difficult time learning how to read and reading efficiently, Dyslexia can also share diagnostic features of other neurodevelopmental disorders that impact reading, so it is important to get a thorough evaluation by a trained professional to assess your child’s needs and development.

Young children with Dyslexia most observably struggle with reading new words, sounding out words, recalling or recognizing words they have learned, or struggle in other areas that involve letter recognition and usage, such as writing or spelling. There are several subtypes of Dyslexia, which help inform treatment and school support. Some children may struggle with individual word sounds, others may struggle more with the visual recognition or recall or letter/word symbols, or a combination of both.

For more information on diagnosing Specific Learning Disorders and how to begin collaborating with your child’s school, BTB Psychology posted a blog, What are specific learning disorders?

 What are early developmental indicators of Dyslexia?

• Early symptoms of Dyslexia prior to the start of school may include:

  • Early speech delays or difficulties, such as mixing up sounds or difficulties pronouncing certain letters in name

  • Early history of chronic ear infections

  • Difficulties telling right from left

  • Trouble following directions (outside of noncompliance)

  • Trouble with rhymes

• Signs of Dyslexia in school may include:

  • Delayed acquisition of reading skills

  • Choppy, “sound-by-sound” reading that is not fluent or typical given grade level

  • Trouble sounding out unfamiliar words or misreading whole words (ex/Card as Candle or Sand as Snake)

  • Avoidance of reading tasks or complaints about how difficult reading is

  • Difficulty connecting sounds with letter symbols

  • Reading high frequency words like “the” or “and” inconsistently, twice, or skipping them all together

  • Trouble with spelling words consistently

  • Left-right confusion or mixing up letters or numbers, such as reading “feel” as “leef” or reversing 21 as 12

  • Hesitancy with reading aloud in class or avoidance of reading due to feeling embarrassed

• Signs of Dyslexia outside of school may include:

  • Difficulties with consistently following simple written or spoken rules

  • Trouble with telling time on a clock

  • Difficulties with remembering or recalling multi-step instructions

  • Trouble learning rules to games

  • Avoidance of homework

How can I determine whether my child has Dyslexia? How is Dyslexia diagnosed?

Dyslexia is not diagnosed by a pediatrician or family doctor, however it can be beneficial to discuss your developmental concerns with your child’s provider to gather information about referrals and to rule out other reasons for observed difficulties. It is also beneficial to discuss your concerns with your child’s school to determine whether observations are developmentally typical or appropriate given current instruction.

A trained provider in diagnosing/treating Specific Learning Disorders will conduct an evaluation to assess your child’s reading and development. This includes a series of standardized testing and other measures that help gather data about your child’s reading as compared to their other skills, as well as compared to other children their age. It is important that the evaluation is comprehensive to help rule out other barriers or reasons for your child’s reading difficulties, such as language deficits, hearing difficulties, or other neurodevelopmental concerns. Children are typically diagnosed with Dyslexia after they have had ample time to respond to school instruction and/or respond to intervention in the general education curriculum.

Providers who specialize in Specific Learning Disorder in Reading (Dyslexia) testing and treatment can include:

• State licensed/Certified Psychologists (Clinical/School/Educational)

• State licensed or Board Certified Neuropsychologists

• Educational or Reading Specialists

• Speech and Language Pathologists

• *Special Educators (Of note, the classification system and testing process in schools differs from that of evaluations outside of the school setting, including private testing. To learn more about Specific Learning Disabilities and how they are classified/supported in school systems, check out this blog.)

How can I support my child with Dyslexia?

Children diagnosed with Dyslexia will need intentional and tailored intervention to help build their skills in reading. Dyslexia is treated by helping children develop specific reading skills that are based in the their strengths by utilizing a multi-sensory and structured approach. Traditional reading instruction may not be appropriate for many children with Dyslexia, thus it is important for your child to get support from a reading specialist or tutor. First, discuss your child’s diagnosis with the school so they can begin to assess whether your child is eligible for special education services or an accommodation plan. The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a well-supported, multisensory, structured, and individualized approach to tutoring and reading intervention. For more information, click here.

Treatment may also involve support from a psychologist or therapist to help the secondary impacts that Dyslexia may have on children, such as helping children advocate for their needs, helping them understand their brain strengths and weaknesses and helping them feel less anxious and more confident in school.

Students with Dyslexia may qualify for extra support in their school, including:

• Extra reading support/instruction with a reading specialist

• Small and large group reading support

• Extra time on tests or someone to read instructions

• A quiet space to help improve focus during tests

• Notetakers or options to record instruction from a teacher

• Not having to read aloud in class in front of others without warning

Does Behind the Behavior Psychology, PLLC conduct testing for Dyslexia and Specific Learning Disorders?

Yes. Dr. Bobal specializes in psychoeducational and diagnostic testing for Specific Learning Disorders in Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas. She is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina. As a former educator and a member of school and pediatric hospital teams, Dr. Bobal conducts testing by collaborating with all of the important members of your child’s team to help evaluate reading/academic difficulties in a whole-brain, strengths-based manner. In addition, Dr. Bobal works directly with caregivers and school teams to help create a learning support plan that aligns with the child’s unique learning style and strengths in the home and academic settings.

Have questions about Dyslexia Testing or looking to learn more information? Contact Dr. Bobal today!