Why Some Kids Struggle to Read: 3 Types of Reading Disabilities
Dyslexia is only ONE of the types of reading disabilities.
There are two others that we need to talk more about because they explain why ‘Good’ readers can still have a hard time reading.
If your child is able to read words in a list or even in short sentences in paragraphs but struggles with remembering what they’ve read, this post is for you! Many parents I talk to are at the end of their rope by the time they give me a call, and most of those parents experienced this scenario:
Their child is struggling to read at grade level, hates reading, or can’t remember what they’ve read, BUT when they had them tested for Dyslexia, their child did not meet the criteria.
Reading is a fundamental skill that opens doors to learning and opportunities. However, not all children find it easy to read. Some struggle due to underlying reading disabilities, which can manifest in various ways. Understanding these different types of reading disabilities is crucial, especially as children progress through school and encounter more complex texts.
As parents, it's essential to recognize that reading difficulties can vary. A child may be a "good" reader in the early grades but struggle significantly with reading literature or textbooks in higher grades. This can be due to different types of reading disabilities that affect specific aspects of reading.
In this blog post, we'll explore three main types of reading disabilities: Basic Reading (Dyslexia), Fluency (Speed), and Comprehension. We'll discuss their characteristics, impact on learning, and the importance of appropriate intervention.
1️⃣ Basic Reading (Dyslexia)
Understanding Dyslexia: Dyslexia, also known as a specific learning disability in basic reading skills, is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and poor spelling abilities. This condition is primarily linked to weakness in phonological processing, which refers to the ability to identify and manipulate sounds in language. Dyslexia is neurobiological in origin and often runs in families, indicating a genetic component.
Key Characteristics: Children with dyslexia typically struggle with decoding words, which means they have difficulty breaking down words into individual sounds and blending them together. They may also have trouble with rapid automatic naming (RAN), which involves quickly naming familiar objects, letters, or numbers. This difficulty can lead to slow reading speeds and frequent errors.
Common Signs:
Difficulty recognizing familiar words.
Problems sounding out unfamiliar words.
Spelling errors, often phonetic, missing or mixed-up sounds (e.g., writing "frend" for "friend").
Confusion between letters that look or sound similar (e.g., "b" and "d").
Reading below the expected level for their age.
Impact on Learning: Dyslexia can affect a child's ability to read fluently and comprehend what they read, even if they have adequate intelligence and educational opportunities. These difficulties can persist into adulthood and impact everyday activities, academic performance, and self-esteem.
Intervention and Support: Early identification and intervention are crucial. Multisensory instruction, which involves using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile pathways to enhance learning, is often recommended. Programs that focus on phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency can help improve reading skills.
(Read more about Dyslexia here 👇)
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2️⃣ Fluency (Speed)
Yes, there is actually a specific learning disability where fluency, or speed, is the problem with being able to read in a way where the information is understood and retained. Reading fluency refers to the ability to read text smoothly and quickly with appropriate expression. It involves not just the mechanical ability to decode words but also the ability to read with speed and accuracy. Fluency is a critical component of reading because it directly affects comprehension—if a child spends too much time decoding, they may forget what they've read.
Key Characteristics: Children with fluency issues may read slowly and with effort, often sounding choppy or robotic. They may have difficulty recognizing words automatically and struggle with rapid automatic naming (RAN) and processing speed. These challenges can make reading a laborious task and limit a child's ability to enjoy or engage with text. So, again, while these kiddos can READ the words, they will show the following symptoms 👇
Common Signs of an SLD in Reading Fluency:
Reading is slow and laborious.
Frequent pauses and hesitations while reading.
Inability to read smoothly and with appropriate expression.
Difficulty keeping pace with grade-level reading assignments.
Repeats what they’ve read over and over.
Avoidance of reading aloud.
Impact on Learning: Fluency issues can significantly impact a child's academic success. Slow reading can make it challenging to keep up with classroom assignments and tests, leading to frustration and a lack of confidence. These children may also struggle with spelling, as fluency is closely tied to automatic word recognition and retrieval.
Intervention and Support: Improving fluency often involves repeated reading practice and guided oral reading. Interventions may include choral reading, paired reading, and the use of technology such as text-to-speech tools. Encouraging children to read a wide variety of texts that interest them can also help improve fluency over time.
3️⃣ Comprehension
Reading comprehension involves the ability to understand and interpret the meaning of text. It requires decoding skills, vocabulary knowledge, and higher-level thinking skills such as making inferences and drawing conclusions. Comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading; without it, reading serves little purpose beyond word recognition. While basic reading skills and fluency can have an effect on reading comprehension, someone who has no weaknesses in phonological awareness or processing speed, yet still struggle to understand what they’re read may have an SLD in reading comprehension.
Key Characteristics: Children with comprehension issues may read fluently and accurately but struggle to understand or remember what they've read. These difficulties can stem from weaknesses in language skills, such as vocabulary and grammar, or from cognitive skills like problem-solving and critical thinking.
Common Signs:
Difficulty summarizing or retelling what they read.
Trouble answering questions about a text.
Inability to infer meaning from context (a.k.a “reading between the lines”).
Difficulty connecting new information to prior knowledge.
Poor performance on reading comprehension tests.
Impact on Learning: Comprehension issues can have a profound impact on a child's academic performance. Understanding textbooks, instructions, and test questions becomes challenging, which can affect all subject areas, not just language arts. Poor comprehension can also impact writing skills, as understanding how to organize and convey ideas is closely related to understanding how to interpret them.
Intervention and Support: Improving comprehension often involves strategies like teaching students how to identify main ideas, make predictions, and summarize text. Graphic organizers, such as story maps and Venn diagrams, can help students visually organize information. Additionally, building vocabulary and background knowledge is crucial for improving comprehension.
Do I Need To Get My Child Tested?
Many parents, particularly those who homeschool, may wonder, “Do I need to get my child tested? How will a label even help?” No matter the schooling environment, an SLD in ANY area of reading is a condition that will not go away on its own. It’s a lifelong condition that requires specific support to help make processes involved in reading faster, more efficient, and less frustrating. Having a diagnosis — yes, a label — can help. Not only does it simplify the needs your child has when you are Googling and researching curriculum or tutors, but it also gives you and your family a common language to discuss your child’s needs around reading. If that’s not enough, here are a few Compelling Statistics of why a diagnosis can help:
Early Intervention Effectiveness: Research shows that identifying and addressing learning disabilities before adolescence can enhance academic achievement by up to 40%.
Critical Window for Intervention: 90% of children with reading difficulties can reach grade level if they receive specialized help by the first grade.
Impact on High School Graduation: Students with addressed learning differences have a 78% higher likelihood of graduating high school on time.
Positive Change in Attitude: 85% of parents notice a positive change in their child’s attitude towards learning after early detection and intervention.
Long-Term Benefits: Students who receive specific interventions for dyslexia by age 8 can show improvements in reading and writing that align with or surpass their peers by middle school
📝Diagnosing Learning Disabilities
There are two frameworks that are considered in the United States when diagnosing a learning disability. Depending on the practitioner, the need for the diagnosis (medical vs educational, for example), and the client themselves, one or both frameworks may be considered.
First, is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004, typically used in school settings. IDEA 2004 mandates that schools provide a free and appropriate public education to students with disabilities, including those with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). This law requires schools to use research-based methods for identifying and assessing these disabilities, ensuring that parents are actively involved in the diagnostic process. IDEA encompasses a wide range of SLDs, including but not limited to dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, and provides a framework for delivering specialized instruction and accommodations tailored to each student's needs.
Second, is the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) which provides standardized criteria for diagnosing SLDs based on observable symptoms and impairments. This manual covers a broad spectrum of learning disorders that affect skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics. The DSM-5 helps clinicians identify specific deficits and distinguish between different types of learning disabilities, ensuring that students receive appropriate educational and clinical interventions.
Together, these frameworks guide the identification and support of students with various learning disabilities, ensuring that they receive the necessary educational resources and interventions to succeed academically.
Early diagnosis is key to managing a learning disability effectively. Dyslexia tests or Full Evaluations often involve a series of reading, spelling, vision, and intelligence tasks administered by professionals. These tests aim to identify specific learning difficulties and rule out other conditions. Not all diagnostic tests for learning disabilities are created equal. If you are considering getting testing, YOU NEED THIS FREE GUIDE.
10 KEY Facts Every Parent NEEDS to Know Before Getting Their Child Evaluated
Beyond what you can Google, this guide gives you checklists, definitions, how-to, timelines, and even a “Shoppers Guide” to find an evaluator.
👉Conclusion
Recognizing and understanding these types of reading disabilities is crucial for providing the right support for your child. It's important to note that a child may experience challenges in more than one of these areas, and early intervention can make a significant difference.
At Clever Cogs, we specialize in diagnosing and supporting children with various learning disabilities, including dyslexia, fluency issues, and comprehension difficulties.
If your child has had a dyslexia screener or test and has been told there's no dyslexia but still struggles with reading, it might be time to explore other possibilities. Whether it's difficulty with reading fluently or understanding texts, identifying the specific type of reading disability can lead to targeted interventions that help your child succeed.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT the Signs and Symptoms of the 3 MOST Common Learning Disabilities (Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, and Dyscalculia)? Grab this FREE GUIDE.
💜I’d love to chat with you. Whether you have already had testing, are just shopping, or don’t even know where to begin. Schedule a FREE Call.
Other Posts That Might Interest You:
“The Truth About Letter Flipping and Dyslexia: What Every Parent Needs to Know”
“Dyslexia and Math” Why kids with Dyslexia also have a hard time in math.
“What is an Evaluation” Understanding Tests for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and more.
