Dyslexia primary and secondary schools

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability in which children and adults have difficulty reading and spelling at the word level. It is caused by problems with phonological awareness, which affects the ability to correctly process sounds and letters. Dyslexia is often characterized by persistent problems with word recognition, spelling and automating reading skills. This disorder can be diagnosed beginning in late grade 4 and has a lasting effect on language processing.

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific problem with reading and/or spelling that occurs at the word level. About 10% of children in regular primary education have reading and/or spelling problems. Of this group, over 4% actually have dyslexia. Dyslexia can be diagnosed from the end of group 4 by a GZ-psychologist or orthopedagogic generalist. A dyslexia declaration is valid for life.

Cause of dyslexia

The cause of dyslexia lies in phonological awareness, which refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in words. Phonology, or sound learning, is an essential part of language development. Problems with phonology can be noticed by parents and teachers as early as grade 1, and especially in grade 2.

Early signs of reading and spelling problems

How can you recognize if a child may be suffering from reading and/or spelling problems? Some signs are:

  • Low phonological awareness.
  • Difficulty with rhyming, chopping and pasting words (low phonemic awareness).
  • Little interest in written letters.
  • Problems with recall of language knowledge.
  • Difficulty with information processing, especially at high pace.
  • Difficulty with automation (e.g., remembering names or learning colors).
  • Difficulty converting letters (visual code) to sounds (auditory code).

Heredity and other risk factors

Heredity plays an important role in dyslexia. If reading and spelling problems run in the family, a child is more likely to suffer from them as well. General language development can also be a clue. Children who start talking late or have problems with articulation may be at additional risk.

Importance of early stimulation

It is important to introduce children to letters early. Parents can help with this by reading aloud regularly. This helps children understand that the characters on a page make up a story. In schools, letters are often offered through play, such as with a letter box. Early help and guidance from an expert can significantly reduce reading and spelling problems.

Difference between reading and spelling problems and dyslexia

In children with reading and/or spelling problems without dyslexia, problems can be reduced with the right help, making the reading and writing process smoother. In children with dyslexia, however, problems are persistent. Progress is slow and the reading and spelling problems often persist.

Consequences of dyslexia

In addition to reading and spelling problems, children with dyslexia often experience additional problems. These may be related to language, working memory and other school subjects. Some common problems include:

  • Difficulty with language comprehension.
  • Difficulty with reading comprehension.
  • Difficulty with math.
  • Problems with subjects such as history and topography.

In addition, these children may also suffer from low self-esteem and reduced self-confidence.

Treatment and intervention

A speech therapist who specializes in dyslexia can help. In addition to administering standard tests such as the CITO, the speech therapist can conduct targeted research on spelling, reading and language. This helps to further identify the problems and recommend the appropriate treatment method. Cooperation with the teacher and/or the school’s internal supervisor is essential here.

Dyslexia screening and preschool training

A dyslexia screening can be conducted in grade 2. This is highly recommended because early recognition of problems is crucial. Based on the results of the screening or in consultation, preschool training can be offered. Research shows that children who receive this training perform better in reading, spelling and reading comprehension during the first two years starting in grade 3.

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What is dyslexia? All about dyslexia in children and adolescents