Unfortunately, there are many learning disabilities, speech and language, that go undiagnosed. It is difficult for any parent to watch their child struggle with school work, especially if they have dyslexia.
“According to the International Dyslexia Association, roughly 15 to 20 percent of children in schools present with some form of dyslexia, a language-based learning disability. Many students with dyslexia might go undiagnosed. Reasons include lack of data supporting the negative effects on academics, or the student’s performance on standardized assessments doesn’t indicate the need for services,” ASHA.
Identifying and helping those at risk
Children who have at least one of the following are at an increased risk for a reading disorder, a family history of dyslexia, speech, or language delay.
A study on children with speech difficulties showed them to have, “a significant risk of poor phonemic skills and spelling at the age of 5½ and of poor word reading at the age of 8.” The study found a correlation between a speech sound disorder and poor reading skills.
Diagnosis
If you are concerned about your child’s learning or reading ability, getting help from a speech-language pathologist is a good place to start. A professional evaluation of the phonological processing can help assess their speech, language, and listening comprehension skills.
Intervention
A speech-language pathologist will help your child with phonemic and phonological awareness. Teaching them skills to make words and break down sounds. This will help them with heir reading and listening comprehension skills, as well as vocabulary.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the family at First Words Speech Therapy encourages everyone to join us in learning more about breast cancer and support those who are suffering with the disease.
Though we have made great progress in early detection, cancer treatment and finding a cure, we still have a long way to go.
