TOO EARLY TO WORRY?

We have dyslexia in the family. My older brother is dyslexic, and I remember the struggle throughout his whole school career. He hated school in a way I’ve never experienced since. I’m sharing this history as I think it might be affecting my judgement. My youngest started Grade R this year, and I suspect that he might be dyslexic too. We are working hard at his letter recognition, but he struggles, and it clearly frustrates him. He swaps letters no matter how many times we go over it. With most things in life, I guess early intervention is better. But how do I know for sure that he has it? Isn’t it a little early to diagnose it? Who can

I see about this? I’m also mindful of creating an issue where maybe there is none and what he is experiencing is age appropriate, but I just don’t know. Who can advise me appropriately?

DR PIENAAR ANSWERS: There is no doubt that being “diagnosed” or labelled as dyslexic in the past would have had an extremely negative effect on a person’s self-image. The good news is that we understand dyslexia a lot better today, and although it is a life-long challenge, we do not see dyslexia as being a huge negative anymore; it is much more of a difference and a challenge in the neurodiverse world, than a negative situation.

You are correct when you say that early intervention is probably better. However, Grade R is early for a child to be diagnosed with any language difficulties as reversals and difficulty with letter recognition is probably age appropriate until 7 years and 6 months.

An educational psychologist, a speech therapist or an occupational therapist would be able to assess your child and advise you. Consult with one of the above therapists, as long as they are specialists in the field of dyslexia.

Dyslexia most certainly does run in families, as it is neurobiological in origin, therefore early intervention would most likely lessen the impact on the child. ●