General and behavioural signs to watch out for.
Children who struggle with spelling, reading, or writing aren’t necessarily dyslexic; there are numerous reasons why a child might face difficulties in these areas. It’s important to approach these challenges with an open mind and understand that dyslexia manifests differently in each child. While some of your students may show clear indicators, others may display signs in less apparent ways.
Here are some general indicators that a child might be struggling with dyslexia:
- Poor concentration - difficulty focusing on tasks for more than a few minutes at a time (which can result in poor classroom attainment)
- Difficulty with following instructions - this may related to specific academic tasks or just consistently poor classroom behaviour
- Poor personal organisation - difficulty in remembering important tools or resources, such as bringing school exercise books to class
- Indeterminate hand preference - regularly writes with alternating hands from day to day
- Difficulty with dates - this can include struggling to remember what day of the week it is, months or seasons of the year, or even their birth date
Signs of dyslexia in reading and writing
Reading and writing are some of the most noticeable areas where difficulties related to dyslexia can emerge. While every child learns at their own pace, consistent struggles with literacy skills might be a sign of an underlying issue. As we mentioned earlier, dyslexia doesn't present the same way in every child. Some may display subtle signs, while others may struggle more overtly.
It's also important to consider that difficulties with reading and writing don't automatically mean a child is dyslexic. Many factors, including learning environments or other conditions, can play a role. However, if these challenges persist despite additional support, it may be worth exploring further. Some literacy-related challenges to look out for include:
- Poor or inconsistent spelling - including regular or noticeable misuse of punctuation
- Struggling with handwriting or presentation - this can include poor handwriting with a greater-than-usual number of ‘reversals’, where the shape of certain letters are flipped. It also encompasses badly formed letters or writing in all caps. Dyslexic students may also experience some difficulty in blending letters together
- Unusual sequencing of letters or words - as well as rearranging the order of certain words within sentences, pupils may also miss out words when reading, or add extra words
- Low confidence with reading and writing - affected pupils may have difficulty with reading certain fonts, or show a hesitancy to read aloud (whether alone, or in a group or classroom setting)
Signs of dyslexia when speaking
Reading, writing, and speaking often go hand in hand when it comes to literacy development, and difficulties in spoken language can also be a sign of dyslexia. Just as challenges with reading and writing don’t automatically point to dyslexia, struggles with speaking might stem from various factors, but they can provide valuable insights. Here are a few examples what this might look like in your students:
- Slow spoken language - pupils may speak noticeably slowly compared to their peers, or exhibit difficulty in getting certain words in the right order within sentences
- Difficulty manipulating some sounds in words - dyslexic pupils may exhibit consistent difficulty with the pronunciation of certain words, which may end up affecting their ability to express themselves properly
- Forgetting words - pupils may demonstrate an unusually short memory for certain words, even after several reminders or explanations, which can (again) end up affecting their ability to express themselves
- Noticeable discrepancies between writing and speaking ability - pupils may demonstrate normal aptitude with either writing or speaking, while struggling with the corresponding skill, which can lead to understandable frustration
What school resources can help children with dyslexia?
Tinted exercise books can be a valuable tool for children with dyslexia, helping to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment where they can flourish despite their learning difficulties. Many children with dyslexia experience visual stress, and the bright contrast of black text on a white page can make reading more challenging. This might result in symptoms like blurry or moving text, making it harder for them to focus and comprehend what they're reading.
Using tinted paper softens the stark contrast and reduces the brightness of the page, providing a more comfortable background that can alleviate glare and visual fatigue. This can help improve dyslexic students' reading speed and comprehension, allowing them to engage more confidently with written material. Since the most effective tint varies from child to child, experimenting with different colours can help identify the one that works best for each pupil. At EPSL, we offer personalised exercise books with page tints including cream, blue, green, pink, and yellow. Tinted overlays are also excellent resources to help students determine which shade of tinted paper works best for them.
We have almost 50 years of experience providing a variety of resources for students of all abilities. Our tinted personalised exercise books, are designed to support teachers like you in meeting the diverse needs of every student.If you have any questions about our tinted exercise books or need any assistance with your order, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us on 01254 686 500 and we’ll be happy to help!
