Reading is an important first step on a child's path to success in life.  A child that is an excellent reader is a confident child, has a high level of self-esteem and is able to easily make the transition from learning to read to reading to lean.  For many of us reading is a natural process and we can read with ease and pleasure.  Unfortunately, for a child with a reading disability, the reading process can become a frustrating and negative experience and is often very difficult to master.  

How do you know if it is a reading disability? Some signs of a Reading Disability:

 - child has difficulties sounding out words
 - slow laborious reading
 - reads without expression
 - ignores punctuation while reading out loud
 - guesses based on first letter of word
 - puts extra sounds into a word
 - drops syllables
 - reverses sounds
 - struggles with spelling
 - substitutes small common words

If your child is struggling in reading and showing the above symptoms, there may be good reason for you to request an immediate assessment.  As a parent, you want to be certain that you are providing what is needed for your child to succeed in school.  To know what is necessary, as assessment is the first thing to do in order to identify the issues to remedy.

Students with a reading disability will need to work with a specially trained teacher, tutor, or reading specialist to learn how to read and spell.  Students who have been assessed and diagnosed through the school district might qualify for Special Education Services.  Children with a reading disability progress best with a sequential, repetitive, systematic and cumulative structured reading program.  Fortunately, with the proper assistance and help, most students with a reading disability are able to learn to read and develop strategies to become successful readers.