Mike Smith:
Joining me today is Faith Berens, HSLDA’s newest special needs/struggling learner coordinator. Welcome to the program, Faith!

Faith Berens:
Thank you, Mike! It’s a privilege to be here.

Mike:
Faith, you’re an expert in reading difficulties. Can you help our listeners identify when a child is struggling more than normal to read?

Faith:
Sure, Mike. All children develop at different rates, of course. Some learn to read in early pre-K or kindergarten, while others do not learn until between the ages of 6 and 8. But some red flags or indicators of delays in reading would be delayed speech, sometimes children have difficulty with pronouncing words, there may be a history of reading disabilities or dyslexia in the family. The two strongest indicators of reading problems, however, are children who have difficulty with learning letters and linking the sounds for the symbols, and also children who are having difficulty with the sounds of language—such as the ability to rhyme or break words apart.

Mike:
Faith, this will be helpful to many parents listening today. Now next time we’ll talk about how homeschooling could help your struggling reader. And until then, I’m Mike Smith.