Symptoms

General

  • Appears bright and articulate but unable to read, write or spell at the appropriate level
  • Labelled lazy, immature or with a behavioural problem
  • Disorderly or compulsive behaviour
  • Poor self-esteem, easily frustrated
  • Covers up weaknesses with ingenious strategies
  • Daydreamer, poor sense of time and/or direction
  • Limited attention span
  • Learns best through experience, observation and visual aids

Reading

  • Skips or misreads words and lines
  • Poor comprehension
  • Complains of dizziness, nausea, headaches or stomach aches while reading or studying

Hearing and speech

  • Easily distracted
  • Difficulty putting thoughts into words
  • Misprononounces words or stammers

Writing and motor skills

  • Trouble writing or copying, unusual pen grip, often presses too hard
  • Handwriting varies or is illegible
  • Clumsy, uncoordinated, poor at ball or team sports  

 

Maths and time management

  • Difficulties remembering the times tables or other sequential information
  • Knows answers but unable to work them out on paper
  • Counting on fingers
  • Difficulties with word problems
  • Difficulties telling time and  lack of organisational skills