Learning Disablilties
 

I have dyslexia, but it wasn't actually diagnosed until college. So I learned to live with it and have never gotten any real help. I think I probably also have Auditory Processing Disorder. I also really only know what I know about it because of the internet. I did well in school and always tested really high in standardized tests and actually read above grade level, so I don't think anyone thought to test me for any learning disabilities. When you look up the symptoms of it though, I have every single one of them - phonetic issues, spelling, can do complex math, but mess up a simple part in the middle, difficulity remembering things, etc. What I worry about now though is my almost 5 year old son will occasionally write and read backwords. Like completely backwards. He will sometimes write his name as SALOHCIN (nicholas) with some of the letters turned backwards and some not or will see the number 17 and tell me its 7 and 1. I really don't know what to think about this. He is only in preschool, but do you think I should have him checked for learning disabilities? He is actually advanced in most areas, but so was I.

When it comes to kids, I always take the better safe than sorry route. If you're concerned, have him evaluated. Either way, you'll know something, yk?

That said, I think it's pretty normal for kids to write letters and even words backwards at N's age. Both of my boys did it, Devin still does, though it's rare these days.

That's good to know at least. When he was reading backwords, I didn't worry about it because I figured he just didn't know yet which direction he should read, but after watching him repeatedly spell his name backwards, it started to freak me out.

And that's why I say testing can't hurt. If there is an issue, you're on the path to helping him deal with it. If there isn't, you've lost a little time and have reassurances that he's doing well. Honestly, it's win/win in all the ways that count.

I agree that its better to be safe then sorry. It won't hurt him to have him tested. Worst case is that you find out he does have a disability and you go from there on how to help him over come it. Best case is he tests fine and you don't have to worry at all.