Dyslexic thinkers approach the world differently, often displaying extraordinary creativity and problem-solving skills. While the term “dyslexia” is commonly associated with reading and writing challenges, it also represents a distinct way of thinking that comes with unique strengths. In his 1994 book, "The Gift of Dyslexia", Ronald Davis was one of the first writers on dyslexia to recognise these positive attributes.
As a parent, it can be difficult to spot a learning difficulty — or difference — in your child in those early primary school years. Some children have initial difficulty settling into school, which pass with time. Others, however, have dyslexic difficulties that will become entrenched and permanent if not addressed through a tailored approach such as a Davis Programme.
Here are seven signs to look out for.
Your child has lost their sparkle. Before starting school, and perhaps still in the school holidays, they were bright-eyed, curious and energetic. Now, it's like they've "wilted".
Your child "vents" at home. This is sometimes known as "after-school restraint collapse". They are trying desperately hard to hold it all together at school; when they get home, the demons are finally unleashed.
Your child struggles with phonic-based reading instruction. They "sound out" many words, and their reading sounds laborious. When reading words they don't recognise, they employ guesswork and/or say a word that bears no resemblance to the word on the page, except for the first letter.
Your child has more difficulty reading some of the small, abstract common words such as "if", "as", "that" etc than some of the longer, less common words.
Your child has a lively imagination and is unusually talented and/or interested in art, lego construction, solving puzzles, visualising options in 3D, or sports.
Your child has difficulty memorising facts and sequences — especially those which carry no obvious meaning for them, such as the days of the week or times table facts.
Your child has difficulty explaining elaborate ideas back to you. When they do so, it's as if they are looking at pictures in their mind of what they want to say and are having difficulty translating the pictures into words.
If you recognise these signs in your child, contact us to book your personal telephone consultation with a local Davis Facilitator. A Davis intervention early in your child's school career will set things right for the many years ahead, so learning can be easy for them. After all, it's only right that it should be.
Richard Whitehead, November 2024
A classroom implementing Davis Learning Strategies.
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