dyslexia??

Anna - posted on 03/11/2011

Totally normal before age 7, my son had the same issues and grew out of it

Sandra - posted on 03/09/2011

I have two boys one now just 12 and one 9
Both got all numbers and letters backword
It used to freak me out, both very good in school
Now no trouble with work and are great readers both score
High in English a little weaker in maths. Any good teacher will tell you not to panic yet, it took years for some letters and numbers to come right but it did.

Marie - posted on 03/09/2011

Great responses, I was concerned about it too!. Thank-you

Mandy - posted on 03/09/2011

Dont worry hey, he is still just getting the hang of if and most of these letters or numbers are similar my 7 year old has a problem with bs and ds, qs and ps but the teacher assured me its common at their age and she will soon deop it. With dyslexia he would be writing everything backward and starting ont he wrong side of the page.

Kim - posted on 03/09/2011

My son is in 2nd grade and sometimes still does that with b and d. The thing I watch for is if he catches it himself when he checks it over. He usually does. I keep an eye on it because he is the youngest of 3 boys. Oldest brother is straight A's and middle has learning disabilities. I would say don't worry and keep good communication with the school. Teachers are a great source of perspective.

Jenn - posted on 03/09/2011

That is SO common, every child I know has mixed up their letters early on. The alphabet lower case and upper case can be very confusing to the little ones learning to write. I wouldn't be concerned, just continue to work with your child on them. At least you are aware and as he begins reading, you will get a better idea of how he's doing.

Jennie - posted on 03/08/2011

It is normal, kids will flip flop numbers, and letters that look similar. My son is 6 and when he first started Kindergarten he did it ALL the time! but with more practice he got it! If you are really worried about it talk to him teacher! they will tell you if it is normal or not, or if he is showing other signs that should concern you:)

Lori - posted on 03/08/2011

He's fine! I was a teacher. It's all okay. You wouldn't have a clear prospective on that until at least 2nd grade. It works out very quickly when children get it. Don't waste any time worrying right now. Let your child write how he needs to write. If he is reading in ordinance with his school work and recognizing his sight words, don't be alarmed.

Julie - posted on 03/08/2011

That's pretty normal. I have 4 children (youngest is 6) and they all transposed certain letters and numbers at that age. They usually figure it out by around 2nd grade. I wouldn't worry unless he's still having a problem with it in a couple years.

Racheal - posted on 03/08/2011

laurie, that might be a good idea because he does complain of headaches a lot, especially after doing homework..thanks ill check into it

Racheal - posted on 03/08/2011

Oh no dont worry we are not scolding him for it. We are being positive and encouraging. We do not use fear as a way of teaching & or parenting. We do NOT condone that at all!

Kathleen - posted on 03/08/2011

I have three children over the age of five and all of them them mixed up some letters and numbers at that age. But only one of them is dyslexic, my twelve ye old girl. The other two are strong readers and the one with dyslexia has worked hard and is an A student. :). They wont even think of diagnosing till much later your littleone is completely normal :)

Cynthia - posted on 03/07/2011

this is noramal give it time and pratice. my son is now 6 and he gets them right now but at 5 he had the same problem.

Rita - posted on 03/07/2011

My daughter has dyslexia. She did not get tested until she was eight. The reason is because all little kids mix up letters. Don't worry about it right now. Just keep an eye out through out the years when he gets a little older.

Marylou - posted on 03/07/2011

RELAX mom, 5 yr olds often confuse these letters & numbers. Just recheck your thinking around 2nd grade. You are doing a great job & just relax & enjoy your new learner. I am speaking as a foster/adoptive parent of special needs & I promise you they confuse these more times than I could count. But NORMAL

Susan - posted on 03/07/2011

Worry about this when he is 7 or 8. He is fine, my daughter now a freshman and a gifted talented student did the same thing until after first grade. Breathe. It will be ok.

Rachael - posted on 03/07/2011

Hey Racheal, Don't worry about a thing. It is totally normal. I would however keep an eye on it and make sure it's not still happening later on in school. My daughter will be 11 in May and still has trouble. Two years ago, she was in grade 3, i signed papers at the school to have the first stages of testing for dyslexia to see if we should go further with testing. They decided we should but she has been on the waiting list for two years now and still no sign of anymore tests and no one seems to be able to give me a straight answer. Next year will be her last year before she starts Junior High. I would like to have it taken care of before that time. She has language arts has been modified right from grade one and these past two years she has had her math modified. It's real tough on their self esteem. And real hard on the nerves when trying to help with homework. So relax for now but if in grade 3 it is still happening talk to someone who can help. Good luck

Laurie - posted on 03/07/2011

My son was doing the same thing in school, I found that he needed glasses, try that

CoffeeMom - posted on 03/06/2011

most others have said to have the Teacher keep and eye out for the work. my daughter who is 7 and in first grade still gets p and 9s, b and d's mixed up her teacher knows this and told me its really nothing to worry about as she is still grasping the concept of the letters. Be postitive with your child and correct them when they write it wrong. There are websites you can find that tell you how to work with have your child memorize how the letters go such as the "bed and the baseball" methods

Manju - posted on 03/06/2011

Dont worry . My som is used to write 7 upside down til 1st grade. Dont scold ur son for this.

Kim - posted on 03/02/2011

Most kids start to do that in K or 1st grade. My son was writing numbers and letters for 2-3 yrs then started to do it for some reason. Its normal. Your child's teacher should be able to tell if its something more than the norm. Just correct your child when he does it and show him the correct way to make them.

Samantha - posted on 03/02/2011

Both of my boys did that. I think it is just natural when learning. b and d they can confuse too. Now my oldest is in 2nd grade and has problems switching words but his teacher says he just might be in a rush or he might need testing. But she told me it is better to wait and observe at this age because of everything new they are learning.

Schmoopy - posted on 03/02/2011

Very normal. 5 is still very young for writing. I wouldn't worry.

Heather - posted on 03/01/2011

It's normal. My 8 year old still mixes "b" and "d" sometimes and switch his numbers around like "17" and "71". I had concerns about this and his teacher said it is still normal at 2nd grade for this to happen sometimes. If he is still doing it next year then we should start looking at dyslexia.

Mandi - posted on 03/01/2011

As an ex-primary teacher (U.K.) I would definitely say don't worry. It is completely normal at 5 to reverse letters and numbers. If he is still doing it at 7 or 8 then it needs looking into. According to my mum I used to write whole stories in mirror writing! One way to help is to print or write a number of "S"s with a number 2 hiding in them and play "Hunt the odd one out" e.g. 2 2 2 2 2 S 2 2 and do the same with the other numbers and letters he struggles with. Make it fun and a game so he doesn't worry about it! In all probability he will just grow out of it.

Ashita - posted on 03/01/2011

it is pretty normal. as the child only learns pattern but takes time to know the direction... as simple as knowing left & right hand. my son is 4yr 3m, started to write letters... many of them are opposite. but he also recognizes his mistake & tries to correct it.
They are very intelligent. they just need time.

Kirsten - posted on 02/27/2011

I agree with all of the above. Most kids will go through a phase where letters and numbers are back to front or even upside down. Numbers are very commonly back to front.
you may even find that letters they've always written the right way around will be written backwards for a while. At this age it is all experimental.
It's a bit like teaching older kids apostrophes and the next time they write, they over generalise and every s has an apostrophe in front of it.
Don't worry about it yet. Keep exposing them to books and writing and they'll sort it out.

Racheal - posted on 02/25/2011

That is very comforting. thank you

Angie - posted on 02/25/2011

Very normal. The kindergarteners that I work with do this kind of thing all the time....

Amanda - posted on 02/25/2011

My son is 5 and in kindergarten. He does the same thing!! His teacher told me they don't worry until around 2nd grade if they are still doing it backwards and such. My sister is also a elementary school principal and she agreed that it is very "normal". I wouldn't worry, they are just beginning their learning adventures.

Racheal - posted on 02/25/2011

he is in kindergarten

Tracey - posted on 02/24/2011

is ur son in preschool? b/c my daughter did the same thing when she went to school shes 4 and still makes her s backwards... but thats all apart of learning and growing up... just work w/ him and he should get it before he turns 6...

Julie - posted on 02/24/2011

if your child is only 5 then he is just learning the numbers and letters properly but if you speak to the teacher he/she will keep an eye out and if by the next class he is still the same then you could seek help from a proffessional and have the tests and things but right now i wouldnt worry too much