When a student struggles with reading, it can be challenging for students and parents alike. However, it's important to understand the cause of the struggles. Reading challenges can stem from comprehension issues, or whether there can be a more serious issue, like dyslexia. If your child struggles with reading, consider learning how to distinguish between comprehension challenges and dyslexia. Once you understand the cause of their struggles, you can help to more effectively address the problem.
What is Dyslexia? Common Symptoms in Students
Dyslexia is a type of learning disability that makes it difficult for students to decode words they are reading. Dyslexia does not just impact reading: it can make math, spelling, and writing difficult, too. Students with dyslexia have trouble matching letters and the sounds they make. You can tell that a student may have dyslexia when they cannot read fluently. They may also have trouble spelling words correctly and spend a lot of time trying to sound out words. Usually, these are words that they should be able to recognize and say immediately.
A common misconception is that dyslexia is an indication of a student's intelligence. In reality, experts believe dyslexia is caused by differences in the part of the brain that help people decode symbols. Dyslexia is not an indication of a person's intelligence level.
What's the Difference Between Dyslexia and Challenges with Reading Comprehension?
In contrast, students who struggle with reading comprehension don't have trouble decoding symbols and letters in all settings. Rather, they can read the words they see on the page, but they have trouble understanding what those words mean. Reading comprehension challenges can be caused by difficulties with language processing. They may also be visual reasoning issues. Further, they can be the result of attention struggles, like ADHD. Students with ADHD may not be able to concentrate on what they are reading. Alternatively, they may not be able to focus on the material long enough to glean the meaning of a text or passage.
If you are not sure whether your child has dyslexia or another issue, it may be helpful to speak to their teacher. You may also want to get them tested for a specific learning disability.
Students who struggle with reading can benefit from getting extra support. Contact Brain Balance Achievement Centers. We can help address the underlying causes and help get them back on track so they can succeed at school and at home.
For over a decade, we’ve helped over 30,000 children improve the critical skills needed to create a brighter path for their future. Contact us online to learn more about how the Brain Balance Program can help. You can also view the research and results of the program on the website.
