NEW DISCOVERY PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
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LITERACY AND DYSLEXIA SOLUTIONS
Is your child struggling with reading and writing skills? Schedule a consultation with our Literacy Specialist, Tracey Bowes, M.Ed (Literacy) to see how we can help!
After spending 31 years in the public and private school system, Tracey decided to take specialized training to become a Certified Orton-Gillingham Dyslexia Practitioner so she could help all kids enjoy success with reading and writing. She works with numerous clinics and organizations to help families find literacy solutions.
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Here are some common signs that may indicate dyslexia in a child:
Struggling with reading: Children with dyslexia often face challenges in reading accuracy and fluency. They may read slowly and struggle with recognising familiar words, frequently making errors. Decoding new or unfamiliar words can also be a challenge.
Spelling difficulties: Dyslexia can affect a child's spelling ability. Understanding and applying phonics rules may be difficult, resulting in inconsistent or unrelated spelling errors.
Issues with phonological awareness: Phonological awareness involves identifying and manipulating sounds in spoken language. Children with dyslexia may struggle with rhyming, blending sounds, segmenting words, or manipulating sounds within words.
Delayed speech development: Some children with dyslexia may have experienced delays in speech and language development during early childhood. Learning and pronouncing words, as well as clear articulation and expression, may have been challenging.
Challenges with reading comprehension: Dyslexia can impact a child's ability to understand and remember what they read. Despite decoding words, comprehending the meaning of the text and making connections within a story may take time and effort.
Letter and number reversals or confusion: While some reversals (such as b/d) and confusion (such as 6/9) are common in early childhood, persistent reversals beyond a certain age (typically around 7 years) could be a sign of dyslexia.
It's important to note that these signs alone do not provide conclusive evidence of dyslexia. Seeking a comprehensive evaluation by professionals trained in assessing learning disabilities is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. If you suspect your child may have dyslexia, I recommend consulting with educators or specialists who can guide you through the evaluation process and provide appropriate support.
What is dyslexia? (A Specific Learning Disorder in Reading)
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Below is the definition from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA): https://dyslexiaida.org/definition-of-dyslexia/
"Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”
Who can diagnose A Specific Learning Disorder in Reading (word reading accuracy) is commonly referred to as dyslexia"?
Who can diagnose dyslexia?
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Only registered psychologists are qualified to diagnose dyslexia. After your child undergoes a psycho-educational assessment, the psychologist will determine if your child has a Specific Learning Disorder in Reading (word reading accuracy).
Does my child need a diagnosis "A Specific Learning Disorder in Reading (word reading accuracy) to receive services at New Discovery Psychological Services?
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No, but a psycho-educational assessment does help rule out any other factors that may be influencing the individual's learning progress.
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We are conducting psycho -educational assessments
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Services that Tracey can provide at New Discovery Psychological Services include:
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Diagnostic literacy assessments to pinpoint specific areas of treatment.
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Educational Consulting to discuss school issues and programming options.
Future services that you can contact us to be added to our waitlist include:
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1-1 Orton-Gillingham-Based Reading Intervention
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1-1 Evidence-Based Writing Intervention
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) can have a profound impact on a child's writing skills. The obstacles faced by individuals with ADHD can be diverse, but here are some common ways in which ADHD can influence writing:
Inattention and distractibility: Children with ADHD may struggle to focus while writing. They easily get sidetracked, find it hard to stay on task, or have racing thoughts that make it difficult to concentrate on the writing process.
Impulsivity: Impulsivity is a prominent symptom of ADHD, and it can manifest in writing as hasty and unplanned work. Children with ADHD may impulsively start writing without considering structure or content, resulting in disorganised and incomplete work.
Poor time management and deadline difficulties: ADHD can affect a child's sense of time and ability to manage it effectively. Meeting writing deadlines can be particularly challenging, as children with ADHD may struggle with prioritisation and planning, resulting in rushed and unfinished assignments.
Weak executive functioning skills: Executive functioning refers to cognitive processes essential for goal-directed behaviour, such as organisation, planning, and self-regulation. Children with ADHD often face difficulties in these areas, making it hard to organise their thoughts, create outlines, or structure their writing effectively.
Problems with working memory: Working memory is crucial in tasks like constructing sentences, applying grammar rules, and spelling accurately. Children with ADHD may have difficulties with working memory, leading to challenges in recalling and applying grammar rules, remembering punctuation, or spelling words correctly.
Hyperactivity and restlessness: Some children with ADHD experience hyperactivity or restlessness, making it challenging to sit still and focus on writing for extended periods. They may struggle with finding a comfortable writing posture, resulting in physical discomfort and decreased writing endurance.
It's important to note that not all children with ADHD will face the same writing difficulties, and the impact can vary based on individual strengths and weaknesses. However, these challenges can significantly impact a child's writing fluency, organisation, and overall written expression.