Is it Dyslexia?

Question

So, I'm a teacher, and I am curious about a couple of my students. They're both Pre-K/Kindergarten level.

I am curious if it's just from not being introduced to letters/numbers at home, or, if it's dyslexia.

I live in Russia, so, they learn Cyrillic as well as the 'Roman' Alphabets. So, they have a Г in their L1, (which essentially is a gamma). And, two of my kids (in separate classes) when beginning to be introduced to 7, they confuse the two. There are more examples of number/letter switch-ups, and writing in mixed up orders, but that's the one that I ran into today.

Is there a test that laymen can do for dyslexia, so that I might be able to suggest to the parents that there is a problem?

I know that only specially trained people can diagnose, but is this a warning sign, or just children? I wouldn't ask, but these kids seem to be the only ones with a problem.

Answer 1

It is not uncommon for kids that age to be mixing up letters--it used to be that children weren't really taught the alphabet until K-now they are reading in K

I would definately keep an eye on their progress-but I woudln't be leaning toward a dyslexia diagnosis yet--

Some children with dyslexia also had delayed spoken language---communication is usually the first sign of a learning problem at this age

Answer 2

You did not say if these children had other learning weaknesses besides those concerned with writing, but  a problem with letter/number reversals at a kindergarten level is not enough to make a diagnosis of  dyslexia or learning disability. Now, if these children also have problems with speech/language and perhaps a history of ear infections, along with other learning problems not usual for their age, then you should really be concerned. If you have other things that show these children are behind the others in your class, then you should continue to observe, try remedial techniques, talk to some experts in child development, provide extra one on one help and provide a large dose of encouragement to these children. Dyslexia is not the only thing that causes developmental delays, however. Nutrition, exposure to lead/radiation, lack of opportunity to learn, parental interest in the children and other health issues can play a role in the slow development of children.

It is good to see that you are looking out  for these children, and your instincts are probably right that something is amiss. If your school has anyone who is trained in testing young children, this might be an avenue since they can see what level they are on. A pediatrician can help. If no one is available, keep searching on the Internet for information on expectations in learning for kindergartners, as well as more information on spotting dyslexia/learning disabilities in young children. Good luck to you in Russia from a retired special education supervisor in Texas.

Answer 3

I cannot inform you on teaching Cyrillic, but I can try to help with reading English.  These students are too young to make a determination of either Dyslexia or Disgraphia (transposed numbers).  And even with those diagnosis, the process for you will be the same.  You will have to teach them the strategies and skills to achieve success.  Since I'm not sure what you are doing in your classroom, let me offer these suggestions:

1.  Teach concept of print:  reading is from left to right, whether its a word, sentence or book.  Stories have a beginning, middle and end.  What you read should make sense and if it doesn't, then reread or ask for help.

2.  Only teach one letter and one number per week.  Use manipulatives (M&M's, noodles, seashells, etc.) or hands-on activities  to draw, paint, write, feel the shapes of the letter/number.  You can use sand/sand paper, instant pudding or peanut butter, beans, just about anything tactile or with heavy texture.  Read books that feature the letter/number of the week.  Point them out in signs, in videos, even in conversations.

3.  Choral/echo read - read big books, picture books, nursery rhymes, poems on chart paper aloud.  Choral reading starts with you reading a short passage, then rereading it as the class reads it aloud with you.  Echo reading starts with you reading the first line, then the class "reads" it aloud back to you.  Repeat for the remainder of the short passage.

4.  Teach students to follow the text being read with their finger (to help them focus).

5.  Finally, some teachers/students have had limited success with colored overlays.  These are 8x12 (approx.) sheets of plastic which have been tinted a basic color, such as yellow, green, blue or red.  Which color works for which student is a matter of trial and error.  The overlays are placed over the text the student is reading.

As students get older, whether they are dyslexic or just struggling, they will learn other strategies to help them succeed in reading, like identifying context clues, using visual aids, etc.  So my point is this - a diagnosis is not necessary, the treatment is the same.

Good luck to you.

Answer 4

I am 16 and live in the United States. There is a test that can be taken to be tested for Dyslexia. I think I have Dyslexia and I was trying to read up on it and I have almost all the symptoms and it really bothers me. Personally, even though I get almost all A's doesn't mean I don't have it. It takes me a really long time to understand things compared to anyone else in my class and I am always last testing.

I get things backwards all the time, I read better upside down, I am not particularly good at math and I mix up letters alot when I am typing as I am doing now but I try to fix them after.

I want to get tested through the school but there is a long waiting list so even if I sign up relatively soon I won't be able to be tested until the begining of the next school year. In mean time I am kinda frustrated with my work at school.

For me, one of the toughest things is trying to study, do math, and testing. I do horrible on testing and It makes me upset sometimes when I have to take time even after the entire class is done to be able to finish my test.

I read from the end of a sentence to the beginining and it is really weird. I skip lines by accident all the time too which is quite frustrating and when reading I read something but i have to read it like atleast 4 times to be able to understand it. I get left and right mixed up and I am horrible at remembering things and directions.

If I were you I would have them tested. Although it does cost a little money in the end it would help them out quite a bit. Get them tested because even if the test comes back and they don't have it atleast you know that you don't have to have special classes for them. If they have Dyslexia atleast soon they would be able to get help and make them less frustrated and it will help them in school and whatnot.

I hope I really helped out with your problem. I hope soon in  the future that I as well can be tested for Dyslexia and get the help I may need to do better or be able to cope with my matters.

Answer 5

Many young people have Dyslexia and out grow it. But you need to work with your children extra till they out grow it. It is not always a permanent condition so I hope your children do outgrow it.

Answer 6

Given that the children are learning two distinct alphabets, maybe the problem.

To prevent confusion give each student a copy of Cyrillic and Roman alphabets (preferibly on light coloured paper), so they can practice at home with their families.

Are these few students having problems in other area's such as reading, writing, maths and confusion between left and right?

You may like to try writing paragraphs in different colours on the black/white board, for ease reading and of keeping up with copying from the board, and use coloured over lay, to place over written words in a book, use coloured magnetic alphabet to teach the alphabet. If hand a note or homework to students and parents, use coloured paper, for ease of reading.

If any of them appear to have major issues with the above then have them assessed by a school psychologist or similarly qualified person, who is qualified to diagnose learning disabilities including dyslexia.

In the mean time I have include two very good links on dyslexia, the top one has some very good ideas on how to support the dyslexic student, the bottom link has the most common signs of dyslexia.