Learning to recognize letters and string them together into sounds and words is an exciting stage for parents and children. Children learn to speak first, but soon, they express interest in written language which comes in the form of letters, numbers and symbols. Most kids express enthusiasm when learning to read. Learning curve varies, and parents should be patient while their children begin to get the hang of it all. However, what could it mean when your child keeps forgetting letters and sounds. He’s smarter in a lot of ways compared to other kids his age – he takes interest in math and science, but he seems to be stagnant in terms of his reading skills. What could be wrong?

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a condition that affects children’s ability to learn to read and spell. Interchanging letters and numbers that could cause troubles in writing and spelling is common in children with dyslexia, but it is not the only sign that a child has the condition.  

Under normal circumstances, this is how reading is learned: A child begins to recognize letter and speech sounds first. Then, she or she begins to recognize printed symbols, aka letters and numbers. The child then learns how to match sounds to letters and eventually string them together into words. Then, the child needs to practice eye control when reading from a page full of letters and words. Familiarity with same words happens when these are stored in the memory.

Aside from letter recognition difficulty, some kids with dyslexia may present with a difficulty in recognizing left or right. This can cause problems with writing or even marching. Some children with dyslexia may also find it challenging to recognize numbers and even colors. Because of this, they may have trouble writing down their home phone numbers or addresses. Spelling and grammar issues are also a common find in these children.

What causes dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disorder, which doesn’t necessarily say much about a person’s intelligence since it is confined to the recognition of letters and not his or her overall cognitive ability. It is believed that it has something to do with the clusters of dyslexic cells in the brain. These cells, necessary for recognizing moving images, are smaller and slower in dyslexics, causing them to interpret letters and words slower than other children. 

How is it diagnosed?

Just because your child has difficulty learning her abc’s doesn’t mean she has dyslexia. Thus, it is diagnosed with a series of exams facilitated by a psychologist. A parent or a teacher must be present to help with the diagnosis.  

How does dyslexia affect children?

For one, it can cause in delay in the learning process, especially when a child begins schooling. A teacher may recognize the child for exceptional talent in other fields, but may notice that the child can never understand reading like the other children. Once a diagnosis has been established, the child must be educated by a special education specialist who is equipped with knowledge on techniques to help the child read and spell.