If this question makes you pause, here are some simple things you can watch out for. First, here’s some background.
Why is reading at grade level important? Why should I be concerned if my child’s just a little below where they should be?
While it’s true that children learn at different rates, if your child is reading even slightly below grade level it could be indicative of a bigger problem that may get worse if you wait.
Often times data from school testing is misleading. Children age out of phonics/phonological processing testing, which then gets marked as proficient although it wasn’t tested. This is misleading because when comprehension is flagged as a struggle it appears the child can read fine (having proficient phonics and phonological processing skills) when in actuality they are unable to read at grade level which is why they don’t comprehend.
Other times, schools dismiss a child’s weaknesses in reading as something that will catch up with a little extra help at school. This is known as the “wait and see” approach and is reactive instead of proactive. While this may be true in some circumstances, if a child has an underlying disability like dyslexia they may never catch up without an intense one-on-one, specialized intervention tailored to meet their needs. That’s where READ Learning can help. We have the tools and expertise to evaluate and prescribe an actionable plan to help students learn to read at grade level and improve overall academics which in turn improves confidence and reduces anxiety and avoidance behaviors.
Maybe you still struggle with spelling? Maybe your spouse is a horrible speller?
💡Poor spelling is a characteristic of dyslexia. Dyslexia is hereditary and is the most common reason for struggles with reading and spelling. Dyslexia affects 15-20% of the general population and can be mild, moderate, severe, or profound.
Many parents find out they are dyslexic after one or more of their children are diagnosed.
Try this at home! Look at our characteristics of dyslexia resource. Start at the preschool/kindergarten level and circle all symptoms your child had at this age. Continue to do this at each age range. Does your child exhibit three or more symptoms? Register for one of our live webinars on the signs and symptoms of dyslexia.
💡Dyslexia, spelling, and writing are closely related. You can often spot dyslexia in a writing sample.
Try this at home! Have your child use pencil and paper to write a short story without any help. If your child is older, get a writing sample from their schoolwork that’s unaided. Using the following list, highlight any of the following problems you see:
💡Always trust your instincts! Your child won’t magically catch up if they have dyslexia. If you think your child is struggling with reading and is a poor speller - get expert advice.
Watch for!
Try this at home! Look at our characteristics of dyslexia resource. Start at the preschool/kindergarten level and circle all symptoms your child had at this age. Continue to do this at each age range. Does your child exhibit three or more symptoms? Register for one of our live webinars on the signs and symptoms of dyslexia.
💡Many parents are told their child is reading at grade level, but that they struggle with comprehension.
The most common reason for comprehension trouble is the inability to read the words on the page. This is not a comprehension problem. This is a reading problem.
Try this at home: Read a grade-level passage out loud to your child. Afterwards, ask them questions about what was read. Did they understand what you read? Next, have them read a different grade-level passage silently to themselves. Afterwards, ask them questions about what they read. Is there a difference between their ability to understand when listening vs. reading silently? If so, you most likely have a reading problem, not a comprehension problem.
Maybe you still do when you’re tired, sick, or stressed?
💡Reversals in letters and numbers should be gone by the end of first grade. It’s developmentally appropriate to have reversals in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and first grade, but after two years of school (K and 1) reversals should be gone.
Try this at home: Get writing samples from school that are handwritten and unaided. Make sure the writing wasn’t copied from a teacher or peer. Student journals often provide a good source for this.
💡Dysgraphia is a learning disability in writing, and commonly coexists with dyslexia. Private occupational therapy is an invaluable service for handwriting struggles. Medical insurance plans often have coverage for services such as this.
Try this at home! Look at our characteristics of dysgraphia resource. Start at the preschool/kindergarten level and circle all symptoms your child had at this age. Continue to do this at each age range. Does your child exhibit clusters of symptoms?
Or mistake words for similar sounding words when talking? Can your child clap syllables correctly when saying a word out loud? Did they struggle to rhyme words when they were younger?
💡Phonological processing problems are a hallmark of dyslexia.
Try this at home: Access our 7 types of phonemic awareness skills page and spend some time playing with spoken words with your child. Remember - use spoken words (no letters!).
Dyslexia can be diagnosed as young as 5 ½ years old! Learn where you can get testing! A child who has dyslexia will not learn to read up to grade level using traditional reading approaches, so it’s important to know if dyslexia is the cause for reading and spelling problems.
💡Parents share that they feel like a bouncing ball. Schools tell parents to check with their pediatrician about dyslexia testing and pediatricians often tell parents to ask their school about dyslexia testing. The parent is bounced from school to doctor’s office and back to school with no answers.
Home resource:If you’re worried about your child and want information on diagnosis or screening, access our dyslexia testing resource for guidance. In many cases, medical insurance will pay for diagnosis, but you have to know what to ask for and where to go.
💡Kids are smart. When they're young they can remember short stories and “read” these stories using their memory instead of actually reading by sounding words out.
Try this at home: Have your child read a grade level book out loud to you. Look for the following:
Yet, the majority of students ARE able to learn to read up to grade level if they have enough practice and a knowledgeable instructor that uses methods based on the science of reading.
💡Although dyslexia is a recognized learning disability, a diagnosis doesn’t automatically qualify a child for special education.
Parent tip: Seek private, professional help outside of school. This one decision will be life changing for your child!