Children with Reading Disorders

By Monifa Jones

Table of Contents

What is a Reading Disorder?Students who suffer from reading disordersWhat reading disorders are associated withWhat is Dyslexia?What should you look for?What If I Suspect My child has Dyslexia?What can I do to help my child?Ten Ways to Improve Reading Skills and Self EsteemLinks and References

What is a Reading Disorder?

It is a problem with a child’s reading skills.

What signs are associated with a reading disorder?

Poor recognition of the written word

Very slow oral reading

Many mistakes in oral reading

Very poor comprehension of what has been read.

Students who suffer from reading disorders frequently have:

Low self esteemSocial problemsIncreased dropout rate at school

Reading disorders may also be associated with:

Conduct disorderAttention deficit disorderDepressionOther learning disorders

What is Dyslexia?It is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.

Reading is the primary problem, some definitions also include difficulties with:

•Spelling•Listening•Speaking•Math

What Should I look for?

Ages 6-11•Has difficulty pronouncing words, may reverse or substitute of words•Has difficulty carrying out a sequence of directions•Doesn’t hear fine differences in words•Has problems stating thoughts in an organized way•Confuses the order of letters in words•Doesn’t recognize words previously learned•Spells a word several different ways;doesn’t recognize correct version•Has poor reading comprehension

Ages 12-Adult•Has difficulty remembering what he just read•Has difficulty concentrating when reading or writing•Is unable to tell important information from unimportant •Spells poorly; misspelling is not phonetic•Has problems taking notes accurately•Has difficulty organizing and completing written projects

What if I Suspect My Child Has Dyslexia?

Take notes on the types of errors you child makes, how often, and where you noticedKeep copies of work and group test results.Conference with the teacherCheck to see if the school offers any special instructional programs.Request a meeting of your school’s student/teacher support teams.Ask the teacher if he/she thinks your child might have a learning disability.

What Can I do to Help my Child?•Ask them how they feel about school and what they feel they need.

•Tell them you know they try hard. But you and their teachers are trying to help them find ways to succeed.

•Work in collaboration with school staff

•Look into private tutoring through community agencies or private tutors you can afford.

•Encourage them to use their strengths and talents•Be patient with them and support their efforts.

Ten Ways to Improve Reading and Self Esteem.

1. Set aside a regular time to read to your children everyday.

2. Surround your children with reading material.

3. Have a family reading time.4. Encourage a wide variety of

reading activities5. Develop the library habit.6. Be knowledgeable about your

children’s progress.7. Look for reading problems.8. Get help promptly for reading

problems.9. Use a variety of aids to help your

children.10. Show enthusiasm for your

children’s reading.

Links and References

http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/Reading.htmlhttp://www.dyslexia-teacher.com/http://www.familyeducation.com/article/print/0,1303,66-24428,00.html?obj_grahttp://www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=43&g=1