Auckland Dyslexia Solutions - Unlock the Potential

What to look for – 37 Common Characteristics

General

Appears bright, highly intelligent and articulate. However, they are unable to read, write or spell at grade level.
Labelled lazy, dumb, careless, immature, "not trying hard enough", or "behaviour 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.
Seem 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.

Vision, Reading and Spelling

Complains of dizziness, headaches, or stomach aches while reading.
Is confused by letters, numbers, words, sequences, or verbal explanations.
Reading or writing shows repetitions, additions, transpositions, omissions, substitutions and reversals in letters, numbers and/or words.
Complains of feeling or seeing non-existent movement while reading, writing or copying.
Seems to have difficulty with vision, yet eye exams don't reveal a problem.
Extremely keen sighted and observant, or lacks depth perception and peripheral vision.
Reads and re-reads with little comprehension.
Spells phonetically and inconsistently.

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.

Writing and Motor Skills

Trouble with writing or copying; pencil grip is unusual; handwriting varies or is illegible.
Clumsy, uncoordinated, poor at ball or team sports; difficulties with fine and /or gross motor skills and tasks; prone to motion-sickness.
Can be ambidextrous, and often confuses left/right, over/under.

Maths 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 feelings, not sounds or words (little internal dialogue).

Behaviour, Health, Development and Personality

Extremely disorderly or compulsively orderly.
Can be a class clown, trouble-maker, or too quiet.
Had unusually early or late developmental stages (talking, crawling, walking, tying shoelaces).
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.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Whatever the labels are, if you or someone you know has learning difficulties, you probably experience disorientation to some degree. This is an idea to embrace, because not only do you think and learn differently but you also have many gifts. These gifts and a positive attitude will help you succeed. Auckland Dyslexia Solutions can help you along the way. Call or email Margot on 09 416 1230 or 021 673 119 or margot@giftdyslexia.co.nz to find out more.