Characteristics of Dyslexia

General

• Appears bright, highly intelligent, and articulate but unable to read, write, or spell at grade level.


• Labelled lazy, dumb, careless, immature, "not trying hard enough," or "behavior problem."


• Isn't "behind enough" or "bad enough" to be helped in the school setting.


• High in IQ, yet may not test well academically; tests well orally, but not written.


• Feels dumb; has poor self-esteem; hides or covers up weaknesses with ingenious compensatory strategies; easily frustrated and emotional about school reading or testing.


• Talented in art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, story-telling, sales, business, designing, building, or engineering.


• Seems to "Zone out" or daydream often; gets lost easily or loses track of time.


• Difficulty sustaining attention; seems "hyper" or "daydreamer."


• Learns best through hands-on experience, demonstrations, experimentation, observation, and visual aids.

Hearing and Speech

• Has extended hearing; hears things not said or apparent to others; easily distracted by sounds.


• Difficulty putting thoughts into words; speaks in halting phrases; leaves sentences incomplete; stutters under stress; mispronounces long words, or transposes phrases, words, and syllables when speaking.

Math and Time Management

• Has difficulty telling time, managing time, learning sequenced information or tasks, or being on time.


• Computing math shows dependence on finger counting and other tricks; knows answers, but can't do it on paper.


• Can count, but has difficulty counting objects and dealing with money.


• Can do arithmetic, but fails word problems; cannot grasp algebra or higher math.

Memory and Cognition

• Excellent long-term memory for experiences, locations, and faces.


• Poor memory for sequences, facts and information that has not been experienced.


• Thinks primarily with images and feeling, not sounds or words (little internal dialogue).

Behavior, Health, Development and Personality

• Extremely disorderly or compulsively orderly.


• Can be class clown, trouble-maker, or too quiet.


• Had unusually early or late developmental stages (talking, crawling, walking, tying shoes).


• Prone to ear infections; sensitive to foods, additives, and chemical products.


• Can be an extra deep or light sleeper; bedwetting beyond appropriate age.


• Unusually high or low tolerance for pain.


• Strong sense of justice; emotionally sensitive; strives for perfection.


• Mistakes and symptoms increase dramatically with confusion, time pressure, emotional stress, or poor health.