However, if someone has dyslexia and it is not diagnosed or identified, it can be seen as or considered ADD or ADHD. This is because with dyslexia it is difficult to write, read and spell. Therefore dyslexics often get frustrated and give up or act out to distract from their struggle. For example if a child is struggling with an assignment in class often he or she will start to play, talk to classmates, or twirl a ruler on a pencil, etc and not attend to the assignment. This is often perceived as a child with a short attention span, when it is really dyslexia, a language barrier. I recommend analyzing the situation; did the child stop the assignment or the task at hand because it was too difficult or was he or she easily distracted? Can the child answer questions correctly but can't write down the answer? Look at the whole child, get a complete picture, know their strengths and weaknesses.
Unfortunately, some undiagnosed dyslexic children are unnecessarily prescribed and put on medications for ADD or ADHD. Therefore a thorough analyses and or diagnosis is important in order to give the child the correct help and support for his or her specific condition. However, dyslexia and ADD/ADHD can both be present in a child. If that is the case then treating the ADD/ADHD with medication might be appropriate.
Here is a great resource. http://www.everydayhealth.com/add-adhd/is-it-adhd-dyslexia-or-both.aspx
Dyslexia test: http://www.testdyslexia.com/
What is ADD? http://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/adhd/index.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment