Parents are being urged to look out for signs of dyslexia that are not related to reading or writing. The condition, which affects around one in ten people in the UK, can cause frustration and struggle if left undiagnosed.
Experts at Evolve Psychology have highlighted three key indicators that occur away from books. Alicia Johnson, a Specific Learning Difficulty Assessor, explained that children may have difficulty following a sequence of instructions, show a marked difference between their verbal and written abilities, and become more distracted or frustrated at school than at home.
'This behaviour may be communicating difficulty,' Johnson said. 'Aim to establish whether the meltdowns are linked to reading and writing tasks.' She stressed that dyslexia is not linked to intelligence and that early recognition leads to better outcomes.
The NHS notes that those with dyslexia may understand verbal information but struggle with written material, and may also face planning difficulties. Undiagnosed, children may receive feedback from school about taking longer with tasks or avoiding written work.
Getting a diagnosis can boost self-esteem, as it confirms that learning difficulties are not due to lack of effort or intelligence. Assistive technologies and exam accommodations can improve academic outcomes, and diagnosis can also help identify co-occurring conditions like ADHD.
