As a result they have a problem sounding out words. At the same time, these children may have strong abilities in reasoning, in understanding and in knowing the meaning of words. It is this pattern of a problem in decoding in contrast to strong thinking and reasoning skills that makes dyslexia so frustrating. It is important that even bright children be evaluated for any signs of a reading problem, because they are often overlooked and can be greatly helped by early identification. Even gifted children can have dyslexia.
Parents often worry about the future for their gifted child with reading problems.
Children with dyslexia can become anything they want to be as long as they are allowed to access and use their often excellent thinking skills. To do this, it is critical that they be given accommodations as they go on in school. The use of books on tape is particularly important for bright young dyslexic readers to insure that they will be exposed to all the richness of literature that they might otherwise miss, and to gain knowledge of current events and content areas. Many students have told me how much these accommodations have meant to them. Students often consider these resources a life-line.