What exactly is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is characterized by difficulties with spelling, fluency and decoding words. Decoding is the identification of the separate speech sounds within a word and/or learning how letters represent those sounds. Without a strong, phonics-based instructional program, dyslexic children simply do not learn to read.
My child is nine years old and has always done well in school. Now, he is struggling and his teacher says he needs help outside the classroom.
Why is this suddenly happening?
Dyslexia is often recognized around fourth grade, because that is the time when children are reading to learn, rather than learning to read as they did in first through third grade. Because they are still trying to decode what they are reading, their ability to comprehend is compromised.
The school believes my child has ADD. I feel that he is a normal child with a lot of energy. Would this have anything to do with reading difficulties?
Absolutely! Attention Deficit Disorder is a valid behavioral disability, however often children with dyslexia are labeled as ADD. When a child is presented with material that is hard to read, they will become anxious and become distracted, fidgety and frustrated.