advice from more experienced mums about dyslexia please?

[Countingthegreyhairs]

Hi, I'm probably being paranoid (over-anxious mother syndrome but my soon-to-be 4 year old gets confused between the numbers 1 and 4 and 7. She doesn't seem to be able to distinguish between them. (She does however recognise all the other numbers between one and ten.) Also, when she attempts to write the first letter of her name - a 'c' - she writes it back to front. All the feedback we've had from her 'ecole maternelle' (a structured nursery school - we live abroad) is that she is intelligent and picks up things quickly. Are these early signs of dyslexia though? Should I be worried? I only have one child and very little experience of children in general so would appreciate advice from those in the know! Many thanks from a born worrier!!

I know a little bit about dyslexia because I write for dyslexic children and also have a close family member with severe dyslexia. I think you little girl sounds entirely normal- both my non-dyslexic children wrote back to front letters, mirror wrote words, and names (especially when tired) and muddled up numbers and letter orders in words. (I had cards from dd until she was at least 8 signed 'lost of love..' -it has become a family phrase. I think your daughter is doing very well to recognise numbers and letters at not yet 4. You have to remember that at the moment a C is a C to her, which ever way up it happens to be, just as an apple for example is an apple to you from any angle.

Oh thanks for taking the time and trouble to post SlowReader. That's very reassuring. Understood about the apple point! Just wanted to verify in case an early intervention was appropriate but suspected I might be worrying for nothing. I don't have a very good idea of developmental stages/norms (whatever 'normal' is!!) etc so v. grateful for the advice! What an interesting job you have .... Thanks again.