Signs of Dyslexia

What do Tom Cruise, Albert Einstein, Magic Johnson and John Lennon have in common?  They all are - or were - dyslexic.  And, they're not alone.  Statistics show that 15% to 20% of Americans are dyslexic.  That's one in seven.            

Dyslexia is a language-processing disorder.  People with dyslexia see things and process things differently from someone who is an automatic reader or speaker.  Generally, dyslexia means you have trouble hearing all the sounds in words.  But, it also means you may have trouble with directionality, left versus right.  Reading can be tough.  And, handwriting is challenging.  Dyslexia is genetic, meaning it is usually passed down in families.

But, the good news, as many of you know, there are programs and methods in place to help children and adults work through it.  Julie Rentz is a dyslexia consultant and she runs Read-Write, a program focused on dyslexia.  She says it's a multi-faceted approach.  Julie explains, "we have to focus on reading and spelling through a multi-sensory approach.  But, we also want to focus on their strengths, their visualizing strengths, thinking outside the box.  They see things differently.  Many engineers, architects, artists, famous sports people are dyslexic."   Julie says they use screenings to determine if someone is dyslexic.  And, as parents, here are some things that might warrant a closer look:

• If your child has or had delayed speech
• If your child mixes up the sounds of multi-syllable words
• Confusion over left and right
• A delay in establishing a dominant hand
• Difficulty tying shoes
• Difficulty memorizing an address or phone number
• Difficulty writing the alphabet in order
• If letters are reversed after first grade
• Or if handwriting is really a challenge

Julie says if you notice these things, it might be worth a consultation or maybe a screening, to determine if your child needs some extra help.  Many times, accommodations can be made at school to make things easier for those who learn a little differently.

For more information on dyslexia and Julie's program, Read-Write, click here . Also, the Dyslexic Awareness Group of the Mobile Bay, a support group for dyslexia, is meeting Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church.