Health Tip: If Your Child Has Trouble Reading

(HealthDay News) -- Reading disabilities can be identified even in very young children, and should be immediately evaluated by a professional.

The University of Michigan Health System lists these common warning signs of a reading disability:

• In preschool, not knowing how to properly hold a book; recognizing the difference between letters and squiggles; not being able to recognize his own written name; extremely limited vocabulary.
• In kindergarten, not recognizing the differences in sounds that make up words, or difficulty in naming familiar objects or colors.
• In first and second grades, recognizing that reading is easier for classmates; avoiding reading; being at a significantly lower reading level than classmates; can''t work through unfamiliar words.
• In second and third grades, acts socially withdrawn; does not retain or comprehend reading material; guesses at unfamiliar words; problem behavior.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Feb. 28, 2007

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