If I already have a daughter with dyslexia and dyscalculia?

so your second may or may not have learning disabilities. If she does, they could be considerably different from your first daughter’s.

Writing reversals at age 9 are considered a red flag for developmental vision delays. I would get a developmental vision evaluation for both girls. Undiagnosed developmental vision problems are an underlying deficit in some cases of dyslexia. (This was the case with my dd, who was reading at a preschool level at age 8-1/2. After 18 months of appropriate interventions, she was reading above grade level. She also is a leftie.) You can find certified developmental optometrists at http://www.covd.org, and more information about developmental vision at http://www.visiontherapy.org, http://www.vision3d.com, and http://www.children-special-needs.org

Difficulty with balance — such as bike riding — often indicates delays in vestibular system development (balance, timing, rhythm). This is often caused by auditory processing problems. You can find out more about auditory processing problems, and a search engine to locate qualified CAPD audiologists in your area, at http://www.cthome.net/cbristol/

Mary

I agree! Every child is different.. There is strong genetic link with dyslexia. Interestingly enough though,within the disability is big differences,as Mary pointed out.

I was diagnosed dyslexic in kindergarten. I am now a 36 year old Mom and Nurse. I had much diffuclty in writing,but most of my problems were in Reading. I had and still do,a big visual spatial component and was probably one of the first vision therapy kids. Okay,maybe not. Anyway,I have two boys who are also dyslexic. Both a strong readers. Oldest has a visual spatial component,has big troubles in Math. My youngest has an audtiory component,with amazing visual spatial skills. Does well in Math. Both have BIG problems with handwriting. So even within two generations there are differences with the very same disability.

Learning differences do tend to run in families but the issues you mention in your younger daughter may be developmental. It’s a bit soon to tell. You could have her tested but as she is so young I might wait up on that a bit.

I also have a 9 year old daughter with dyslexia. We struggle every day with her. I have a 6 year old daughter who is so totally different from her sister that it is scary. She is a whiz at math and all her school work and rode her bike without training wheels from day one. It is very difficult to do homework with big sister when little sister is screaming out the answers from the other end of the house. Every child is different. Good Luck to you.