Dyslexia for ParentsDyslexia for Parents Unit 2Unit 2

Tutor: Tutor:

At the end of this session you will be able to

o List the characteristics of dyslexia

o Suggest possible causes of dyslexia

o Differentiate dyslexics from ‘plain poor readers’

o Describe your child’s dyslexic profile

Before we start we need to Before we start we need to recognise one thing!!!recognise one thing!!!

All children are different.

Individual Differenceso Personality

o Intelligence

o Motivation

o Development

Dyslexic children will share some

characteristics but no two dyslexic children are exactly the same.

Your child is valuable and unique!

How do I know if my child is dyslexic?

TASK 1 The Dyslexia Screening Test

Is there a test that will tell me

if my child is dyslexic?

There are tests which can signpost Dyslexia.

We must remember two points

o Some children will be better readers that others – all children are different

o Dyslexic children have special problems that other children do not have.

What problems might my child have?

ReadingSpelling Handwriting

Schoolwork

Confidence

Coordination

Is there a cure for

dyslexia?

No but there are lots of ways of helping dyslexic children.

Possible Causes of Dyslexia

The first thing that needs to be said is that dyslexia is not

brought about by poor parenting. On the contrary, it is the parents of dyslexic children who have taken the initiatives and have brought dyslexia to

public attention.

The Brain

Modern technology means that the brain can be studied in great detail. Some researches believe that the there are

differences in the brains of dyslexic children

Genetics

There is strong evidence that dyslexia runs in

families. This does not mean that if a dyslexic man or woman has a child, the child will be

dyslexic.

Memory

We need to use our memory in order to be able to read and write, We need to

remember what sounds letters represent when we read. We need to be able to recall letters to represent sounds when we write.

Speed of Processing

We need to process a lot of visual, memory and auditory

information quickly to read and write.

Additional Possibilities

ClumsinessPoor

memory

Sequencing

Low self-esteem

The one thing that all dyslexic children have

in common is a difficulty with

processing sounds