Characteristics of Dyslexia to Look For When Testing at Different Ages

Dyslexia is characterized by difficulty reading and spelling words. Although there is no cure for dyslexia, early diagnosis and intervention leads to better academic, social, and emotional outcomes. Here are a few symptoms of dyslexia in children, teenagers, and adults.

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1. Characteristics of Dyslexia in Children (Before school age)

   1. Difficulty in rhyming words
   2. May have a delay in speech and/or language
   3. Difficulty learning letters and sounds
   4. May have trouble pronouncing certain words
   5. Has a family history of reading difficulties

2. Characteristics of Dyslexia in Children (Pre-K to 5th Grade)

   1. Oral language and reasoning are often more advanced than reading
   2. Trouble blending and segmenting sounds in words
   3. Difficulty remembering sight words (b, d, on, no)
   4. Continues to sound out words after many exposures
   5. Spells words the way they sound, not the way they look
   6. May have a co-occuring disorder (dysgraphia, ADHD, language impairment)

3. Characteristics of Dyslexia in Teenagers & Adults

   1. Has a slow reading rate
   2. Has difficulty completing timed tests without accommodations
   3. Still struggles with spelling
   4. Does not enjoy reading or spend time reading for pleasure
   5. Prefers to listen to books
   6. May have a co-occuring disorder (ADHD, language impairment)
   7. Difficulty learning a foreign language

4. Common Characteristics of Someone with Dyslexia

   1. May excel in other areas that don't involve reading
   2. May have a co-occuring disorder (ADHD, language impairment)
   3. Has a slow reading rate and difficulty spelling certain words
   4. Has difficulty completing timed tests without accommodations
   5. May have low self-esteem and lack of confidence
   6. Has a test profile that is characterized by strengths and weaknesses

Sources

• Dyslexia - Symptoms and causes
• Dyslexia Symptoms in Children and Adults
• Test for Dyslexia: 37 Common Traits | Dyslexia the Gift