EARLY SIGNS OF DYSLEXIA: What to Look for in Preschoolers?

With the start of a new school year just around the corner, there are little ones who will be attending for the first time. Whether they approach this major milestone with enthusiasm, hesitation, or a bit of both, this is a big step for a young child. As they separate from the familiarity of caregivers and enter into their new adventure, they will meet new people, make new friends, and have new experiences. This enriches their brain and helps give shape to their developing executive functions . In children, these skills are under construction.

While, in some cases, it may be too early at this stage to fully determine a learning disorder, it is certainly not too early for teachers to pay attention to the possible signs that may suggest this child will be a struggling student in the years to come. If the struggle is with reading and it is not properly identified and addressed, the reading challenge will impact the child's future academic success.

What is DYSLEXIA?

Dyslexia is a type of learning disorder that is characterized by challenges in reading. The brain inefficiently processes the underlying structures needed for fluency within reading and associated academic skills. Students with dyslexia often have difficulty recognizing words and decoding new words. Their reading tends to be hesitant and slow. There typically exists family history of dyslexia and/or other learning challenges.

Key features of dyslexia include:

• Difficulty with accurate and/or fluent word recognition
• Poor spelling and decoding abilities
• Reading comprehension problems due to slow reading speed
• Difficulty with phonological processing (the ability to distinguish and manipulate sounds in words)
• Challenges with rapid naming of objects, colors, or letters

What the Preschool Teacher Should Look for:

• Delayed speech and language development. As compared to peers, the child shows difficulty learning new words and/or naming objects. Difficulties with pronunciation are also often evident.
• Difficulty recognizing and processing rhymes. This difficulty may be due to inefficient phonological processing.
• Behavioral Indicators. The student shows little to no interest in books, reading, forming letters, pronouncing sounds, etc. Signs of frustration may also be evident, as well as the possibility of school refusal, anxiety and/or avoidance.
• Challenges with memory; short-term and/or working-memory . Difficulties with remembering sequences, multi-step directions, days of the week and/or the alphabet may suggest an attentional disorder. It can also be an underlying factor in dyslexia.
• Problems with fine motor skills. These include holding a pencil or crayon, tying shoes, buttoning clothes, and/or using scissors. The child may also appear uncoordinated.
• Attentional challenges. The child becomes easily distracted and cannot focus for very long (in comparison to same-age peers).

The preschool teacher is in an ideal position to identify struggling learners and keep an eye on the child's development. By knowing what to look for, preschool teachers can then provide helpful feedback to caregivers to help ensure that the necessary next steps are recommended and taken. Whereas dyslexia can vary in severity and each child will progress at his/her own pace, an observant and informed preschool teacher can significantly and positively alter the course of the struggling learner's educational journey.

ASSESSMENT & INTERVENTION

Psychological and psychoeducational testing is a comprehensive evaluation process designed to gain deep insights into students' cognitive and processing abilities, emotional well-being, and educational needs. It involves a series of specialized assessments, interviews, and observations conducted by trained professionals in the fields of psychology and education.

Interventions typically involve targeted and specialized educational techniques and strategies to help improve reading and writing skills. Early identification and support are critical for helping young ones with dyslexia achieve their full learning and academic potential.

When children understand their strengths and weaknesses, it can positively impact their self-esteem and self-confidence. Testing promotes self-awareness and empowers children to focus more fully on their abilities and talents, while also helping to ameliorate areas that can be more challenging.

THE MIND, ONCE STRETCHED BY A NEW IDEA, NEVER RETURNS TO ITS ORIGINAL DIMENSIONS. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The information presented in this article is intended for?general knowledge?and is not a substitute for medical or professional advice or treatment.

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