ChromaGen: What Are the Signs of Dyslexia?

Does your child have difficulty finishing even a short reading passage without feeling frustrated or physically ill? Do the words on the page move or appear out of focus? If so, dyslexia may be to blame. While the condition is easiest to spot when observing a child who is attempting to read, other subtle symptoms can occur outside of the reading environment, including a lack of coordination on the playground or during sports, difficulty remembering commands with multiple sequences and a struggle to find the right words when speaking. The following are the most common signs and symptoms of dyslexia.

• Words move when reading Most people think of dyslexia as seeing words or letters that are reversed, but that phenomenon only occurs in a small number of dyslexic patients. The majority of those with dyslexia see the words move when reading, and this movement can make the words go in and out of focus, float on the page or drift up and down or sideways. The letters in the words may also move closer together or pull apart.
• Frustration while reading Because the words never seem to remain fixed in one place, people with dyslexia often experience frustration while reading. In younger people, this frustration may cause emotional withdrawal, depression or behavioral issues in school, leading to a misdiagnosis of ADHD or other neurological conditions.
• Blurred vision while reading Many people with dyslexia have visual disturbances, including blurred vision while reading. Words on the page often appear fuzzy or go in and out of focus, which can place great strain on the eyes.
• Headaches while reading The eye strain caused by trying to make sense of blurry, moving words on the page can lead to severe headaches while reading.
• Nausea while reading Seeing words float on the page or go in and out of focus can create symptoms that are similar to motion sickness, causing nausea while reading.
• Confusion while reading Several aspects of dyslexia can cause confusion while reading, including reversing letter order, difficulty with learning the letters of the alphabet and problems with remembering the meanings of words.
• Dizziness while reading Blurry, moving words can cause dizziness while reading in addition to other symptoms that are characteristic of motion sickness. Additionally, some people with dyslexia have difficulties with balance and coordination that can contribute to a feeling of dizziness.
• Stomach ache while reading Whether connected to the symptoms of nausea and dizziness or caused by anxiety over reading performance, stomach ache while reading is another common symptom of dyslexia. Children may also complain of headaches or stomach aches to get out of school because they cannot face the pressures of reading in front of teachers and peers.

If your child has any of the preceding symptoms while trying to read, the first step is to seek evaluation by a pediatrician, who may refer you to a specialist. Treatment for dyslexia may include seeing a psychologist who specializes in learning disorders or obtaining special ChromaGen eyeglasses or contact lenses that could prevent the words from moving on the page when reading.