What is Stealth Dyslexia? Signs Every Parent Should Know
Dealing with dyslexia is a difficult task for most kids and their parents. The fraction of good news from the entire situation, though, is that thanks to hundreds of campaigns, it has become relatively easier to identify kids struggling with the condition. This has made it easier for these kids to get the support that they need. The same cannot be said about stealth dyslexia. As the name suggests, the condition can be difficult to identify and understand, and, concerningly, even more difficult to deal with.
In this article, we will be answering the question, “What is stealth dyslexia?” We will also take a look at the signs of stealth dyslexia every parent should know.
What Is Stealth Dyslexia?
After years of working with thousands of kids dealing with dyslexia, Dr. Fernette and Dr. Eide came across a form of dyslexia that was not within the existing framework. Rather than outright struggle with reading, children with this form of dyslexia would develop coping mechanisms to hide their reading difficulty. Thanks to the work of the two doctors, this type of dyslexia is now termed stealth dyslexia.
While “classic” dyslexia patients show obvious signs of struggling when reading, stealth dyslexia patients develop compensatory skills that they use to mask their struggles with reading. Based on scientific studies, a student with dyslexia can be intellectually gifted, and this is even more common with kids who suffer from stealth dyslexia.
At this point, if these kids are learning compensatory skills and masking their reading inabilities, then where is the problem, right? The answer is quite simple. Compensatory skills do not solve the problems with stealth dyslexia; they just mask them. At the end of the day, these kids still have dyslexia, and if it is not addressed, they will often come across even bigger problems, which include:
Mental exhaustion
Social and interpersonal issues
Academic challenges
Emotional and psychological strain
Although stealth dyslexia can be difficult to notice in individuals, the consequences of the condition going unnoticed can have lifelong effects on kids with the condition. This makes it important for parents to be on the lookout for signs of stealth dyslexia to ensure that their kids get the support they need in time.
While kids with stealth dyslexia will still struggle with reading, their compensatory skills will push them to perform as well or even better than the average student. There are, however, stealth dyslexia symptoms, and if you are a parent, here are some of the signs that you should be looking out for.
Frustration During Reading
If your child gets intensely frustrated after long sessions of reading, chances are you have a case of stealth dyslexia on your hands. Kids with stealth dyslexia employ several compensatory skills when they read, and if they read for long enough, this mental effort often leads to fatigue and, eventually, frustration. The frustration with reading can even show before they start reading. Long passages often give kids with stealth dyslexia anxiety. That is something you should be on the lookout for.
Spelling Difficulties
Another clear sign of stealth dyslexia in kids is inconsistency in spelling. Most kids do struggle with spelling, but kids with stealth dyslexia often show different signs of struggle when it comes to spelling. They often fail to spell everyday words like "because." To highlight that it is more than just a normal spelling error, kids dealing with stealth dyslexia often write two different spellings for the same word in the same passage or sentence.
Difference Between IQ and Academic Performance
Most kids that have stealth dyslexia tend to be intensely intelligent when doing tasks like puzzles, math, or overall verbal communication. The intelligence they show in these activities often does not match their academic performance, especially in reading-intensive areas. The disparity is often a sign of stealth dyslexia, and it is a sign that parents should take into account.
Accurate But Slow Reading
Thanks to the ability to learn compensatory skills, kids with stealth dyslexia often end up being able to read accurately. These kids will be able to go through with the reading, though their reading will be worryingly slow. Accurate but slow reading is often a clear sign of stealth dyslexia.
Several other signs signal stealth dyslexia in kids, which include poor handwriting, unusual pronunciation of words, messy writing, and trouble sounding out new, long words. If you do notice these signs in your child, here is what you should do.
How To Deal With Stealth Dyslexia
As a parent, if you notice a combination of the given signs of stealth dyslexia, have a conversation with your child’s doctor about getting your child a stealth dyslexia test. The most important element when it comes to dealing with conditions like stealth dyslexia is getting an accurate and timely diagnosis. If you have confirmed that your child does indeed have stealth dyslexia from the stealth dyslexia quiz, here are some interventions you can put in place:
Use Technology
Technology like text-to-speech will go a long way in making the learning process easier for your child. Getting to hear words pronounced rather than figuring out pronunciations on their own will make it easier for them to read without overcompensating.
Communication and Transparency
It is important to be as transparent as possible with your child’s school and tutors. If your child is diagnosed with stealth dyslexia, it is a good idea to enroll them in a dyslexia school. These schools have the facilities and expertise to ensure that your child's condition does not impact their overall school experience.
Provide Emotional Support for Your Child
The emotional and psychological effects that come with stealth dyslexia can have lifelong effects on individuals. To avoid this, parents need to provide as much emotional support for their kids as they deal with stealth dyslexia. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure that when the child achieves success, no matter how small, it is also important to celebrate as a way to reinforce the importance of success. Joining a stealth dyslexia support group is also a great idea.
Stealth dyslexia should never be a hurdle to a child’s success, both academically and socially. Keep a lookout for your child, and if you notice any signs listed here, consult your doctor and ensure your child gets the support they deserve.