The difficulties noted below are often associated with dyslexia if they are unexpected for the individual's age, educational level, or cognitive abilities. A qualified diagnostician can test a person to determine if he or she is truly dyslexic.

• May be slow to learn the connection between letters and sounds.
• Has difficulty decoding single words (reading single words in isolation).
• Has difficulty spelling phonetically.
• Makes consistent reading and spelling errors such as:
  • Letter reversals - "d" for "b" as in: "dog" for "bog"
  • Word reversals - "tip" for "pit"
  • Inversions - "m" for "w," "u" for "n"
  • Transpositions - "felt" for "left"
  • Substitutions - "house" for "home"
• May confuse small words - "at" for "to," "said" for "and," "does" for "goes."
• Relies on guessing and context.
• May have difficulty learning new vocabulary.
• May transpose number sequences and confuse arithmetic signs (+ - x / =).
• May have trouble remembering facts.
• May be slow to learn new skills; relies heavily on memorizing without understanding.
• May have difficulty planning, organizing and managing time, materials and tasks.
• Often uses an awkward pencil grip (fist, thumb hooked over fingers, etc.).
• May have poor "fine motor" coordination.

top