Did you know that about 15-20% of people have dyslexia? If you’re a parent, it’s essential to understand the different types of dyslexia and how they can affect your child’s learning and growth. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the various types of dyslexia and offer valuable tips to support your child’s unique learning style.
Table of Contents
A Closer Look at the Types of Dyslexia
“Help Your Child Learn to Talk” 👇
Goally’s tablet has some of the top language learning games & apps that help kids learn their first 50 words, practice finger dexterity, fine motor skills, AND communicate with AAC.
Not all dyslexia is the same. There are several types of dyslexia, each with its unique features and challenges. Below is a table summarizing the main types of dyslexia and their characteristics:
| Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Phonological Dyslexia | Trouble processing and working with sounds in words |
| Surface Dyslexia | Difficulty recognizing words by sight |
| Rapid Naming Deficit Dyslexia | Challenges in quickly naming familiar objects, colors, or letters |
| Dysgraphia-Related Dyslexia | Difficulties in both reading and writing due to co-occurring dysgraphia |
Now, let’s dive deeper into the different types of dyslexia and the challenges kids may face with each type:
1. Phonological Dyslexia
Phonological dyslexia is the most common type, affecting many kids with dyslexia. It mainly involves trouble processing and working with the sounds in words (phonemes). Kids with phonological dyslexia often struggle with phoneme awareness, which is the ability to identify and work with individual sounds in spoken words. This difficulty can also affect their decoding skills, or the ability to turn written words into spoken language.
Moreover, kids with phonological dyslexia may face challenges when it comes to spelling. They need to apply their phoneme awareness to write words correctly, which can be tricky. Reading fluency is another area where these kids might struggle. Reading fluently means reading smoothly and accurately with a good pace. This can be difficult for kids with phonological dyslexia due to their challenges with decoding and phoneme awareness.
2. Surface Dyslexia
Next, surface dyslexia, also known as visual dyslexia, is having trouble recognizing words by sight. Kids with this type of dyslexia often depend on phonetic decoding strategies, which can be less efficient for unusual words. As a result, they may have difficulty recognizing familiar words quickly and reading irregularly spelled words like “yacht” and “colonel.”
Because of the slower word recognition process, kids with surface dyslexia may struggle with reading fluency. This means they might read at a slower pace and have difficulty understanding the text they’re reading. It’s essential for parents and educators to recognize these challenges and provide appropriate support to help kids with surface dyslexia improve their reading skills.
Read more: Dyslexia Test for Kids
3. Rapid Naming Deficit Dyslexia (Double Deficit Dyslexia)
Rapid naming deficit dyslexia is difficulty in quickly naming familiar objects, colors, or letters. It’s often linked to a phonological deficit, leading to challenges in both phonological processing and rapid naming. One of the main struggles these kids face is quickly recalling the names of familiar objects or symbols, like letters or numbers.
Reading fluency and comprehension can also be prevalent in kids with rapid naming deficit dyslexia due to their slow processing speed. They may take longer to read and understand text compared to their peers. Additionally, these kids may face difficulties with expressive language skills, such as describing events or telling stories, because of their challenges with rapid naming.
4. Dysgraphia-Related Dyslexia
Dysgraphia affects writing abilities and is a neurological disorder. When dyslexia and dysgraphia happen together, it can create unique challenges in both reading and writing. One of the main difficulties kids with dysgraphia-related dyslexia face is handwriting. Forming letters and numbers clearly and consistently can be a struggle for them.
Spelling is another area where these kids may have difficulties. Even when they can read words correctly, they may struggle to write them down accurately. Written expression can also be challenging for kids with dysgraphia-related dyslexia. They may have trouble organizing their thoughts and ideas on paper, and their writing fluency, or the ability to produce written work at an age-appropriate pace, might have an impact.
Helping Your Neurodivergent Kid: Tips and Strategies
In order to understand the different types of dyslexia is just the first step in helping your child learn. In this section, we’ll share some practical tips and strategies to help your child succeed in their learning journey.
1. Early Intervention
Early identification and help are crucial for kids with dyslexia. The sooner you recognize your child’s struggles, the sooner you can work with their teachers and specialists to create an appropriate support plan based on their specific needs. This can make a significant difference in your child’s learning experience and overall success.
2. Multisensory Teaching Techniques
Using multisensory teaching techniques can make learning more engaging and effective for kids with dyslexia. These methods involve the use of sight, sound, touch, and movement to reinforce learning. For example, when teaching letter sounds, you could have your child trace the shape of the letter while saying the sound it makes. This engages multiple senses and can help them better understand and remember the material.
3. Assistive Technology
Exploring assistive technology tools can be a game-changer for kids with dyslexia. Tools like text-to-speech software, audiobooks, and digital note-taking apps can support your child’s reading and writing needs. These tools can help them keep up with their peers and make learning more enjoyable and accessible.
4. Reading Programs
Consider enrolling your child in a specialized reading program that focuses on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension strategies. These programs are specifically for kids with dyslexia and can help address their unique challenges in a supportive and structured environment.
5. Encourage Strengths and Interests
Lastly, remember to nurture your child’s strengths and interests outside of academics. This will help boost their self-esteem and resilience, making it easier for them to face learning challenges with confidence. By focusing on what they love and excel at, you’ll help them develop a positive self-image and a strong sense of self-worth.
Goally | Apps that Teach Kids AAC & Core Words
Is your child facing challenges in expressing themselves or communicating effectively? Goally has one of the best language language learning apps for kids to support their journey in building essential communication skills!
The Word Lab and AAC Talker apps provide a simple, engaging platform for your child to learn core words and become a functional communicator right from the start. Customize the experience with a voice that suits them, and watch as their confidence grows in expressing their thoughts and needs!
Creating a Bright Future for Kids with Dyslexia
Finally understanding the types of dyslexia and supporting your child’s unique needs can pave the way for a successful learning experience. Remember, dyslexia does not define your child’s potential – with the right strategies and support, they can overcome challenges and excel in their own way.
This post was originally published on 04/22/2023. It was updated on 06/26/2023.
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.
