Dyslexic symptoms – what to look for

Dyslexic Symptoms: In General

● Appears bright, highly intelligent and articulate. However, they are unable to read, write or spell at grade level.

● Labelled as lazy, dumb, careless, immature, 'not trying hard enough,' or a '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.

● 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.

● Learns best through hands-on experience, demonstrations, experimentation, observation, and visual aids.

Dyslexic Symptoms: 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 exhibits 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

Dyslexic Symptoms: Hearing and Speech

● 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.

Dyslexic Symptoms: Math 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 strategies; knows answers but cannot perform calculations 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.

Dyslexic Symptoms: 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 in images and feelings rather than sounds or words, often experiencing minimal internal verbal dialogue

Dyslexic Symptoms: Behaviour and general personality traits 

● 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.

Adapted from "37 Common Characteristics of Dyslexia". © 1992 by Ronald D. Davis. Used with Permission.