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Warning-sign checks

Dyslexia: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if someone suddenly cannot read, speak, understand language, or use one side of the body normally.

    These can be signs of a stroke or another acute brain problem.

    Get emergency help if someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or suicide.

    This is not a direct symptom of dyslexia, but distress related to school, work, or bullying should always be taken seriously.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt mental health support if reading difficulties are linked with ongoing anxiety, school refusal, marked loss of confidence, or depression.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine help when a child has persistent difficulty learning letter sounds, sounding out words, reading fluently, or spelling despite appropriate teaching.

    A teacher, school learning-support service, primary care professional, or relevant assessment service can help identify the next step.

    Adults may seek a routine assessment if reading and writing difficulties interfere with study, work, forms, finances, or other daily tasks.

    An assessment can also identify whether attention, language, hearing, or vision problems are contributing.

The article also says

Dyslexia develops gradually; it does not cause a sudden loss of reading ability.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Dyslexia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.