Are b and d reversals a sign of dyslexia?
Trouble with b and d reversals is common and does not necessarily indicate dyslexia. While dyslexia is related to phonological processing, b/d reversals are more about visual perception and shape recognition. However, many students with dyslexia do experience challenges with b and d reversals.
Which intervention is most effective?
There are many interventions you can try to address this issue, but it's important to remember that different strategies work for different students. To see lasting results, think long-term. Stick with one strategy at a time, using it consistently every day for 1-3 months before deciding if it’s effective. It takes time for a new approach to truly take hold.
Strategy #1 - Use Oral and Visual Cues
Focus on Mouth Movements and Articulation
Help students recognize b and d by connecting the shape with the mouth movement.
Talk about the shape.
Student often do not see the difference between the lowercase b and d because they are the same shape. Instead help them focus on the position of the line and the circle. Which comes first? Point out that b begins with a line and then has a circle after it. Then you can share that d begins with a circle and then has a line. It might be helpful to only focus on one letter for an example. If students are able to recognize the b, then they will also know the d by default.
Talk about how your mouth looks when you say the sound.
Emphasize that b starts with a closed mouth (flat shape) and d with a round mouth. For example, when you pronounce the sound of b /b/, look at your mouth in the mirror. You will see that your mouth is closed and your lips make a line. If you don’t have a mirror, students can place their finger on their lips to feel the shape. When you pronounce the sound of d /d/, your mouth is open and forms a circle shape.
Connect the shape to the mouth position. For example, when you say /b/, your lips make a line, so when you write a b, you must begin with a line first and then a circle. When you say /d/, your mouth makes a circle shape, so the beginning of a d starts with a circle, followed by a line.
Helpful resources:
Strategy #2 - Use Visual Aids and Mnemonics
You don’t need to get a bunch of fancy posters to teach these visuals. They are easy to draw or demonstrate with your hands quickly when you need them for a teachable moment.
Bed Image
Use the poster or hand draw the image on the whiteboard to help students visualize a bed, as most students can spell and sound out that word.
Have them put their hands in fists with thumbs up, ensuring the fingers face them. Their left hand will form a b, and their right hand will form a d
Sound out bed /b/ /e/ /d/. This will help connect the sounds to the shapes of the letters since b comes before d when forming a bed with their fists.
Belly and Diaper Image
Illustrate how b has a belly and d wears a diaper. The belly is in the front, while the diaper is in the back. This reinforces both the sound and shape of the letters. Draw a silly picture to help solidify the visual.
Door Knob and Door Image
This reinforces the shape and order when writing the letter d. When you open a door, you first grab the doorknob (circle) next to the door (line). It also helps students remember the sound of the letter d since doorknob and door both begin with /d/.
Bat and Ball image
This reinforces the sound and shape of b. You first grab the bat (line) and then hit the ball (circle).
Strategy #3 - Focus on Handwriting Techniques
The Honeybee Trick (idea from Handwriting Without Tears)
Print a lowercase h, then tell students to finish the circle. They use the word honeybee as a keyword to help them remember.
Tell students to make a b by thinking of a honeybee. Make an h while you say “honey” and then turn it into a b while you say “bee.” This strategy works well as long as your student doesn’t have trouble with the letter h.
The cd trick
If your student knows the alphabet song, this trick can help them remember the letter d.
Sing “abcd…”
Think: c comes before d.
Make the c first, then turn it into a d by adding a line.
Big B Little b trick
Draw an uppercase B.
Then erase the top curve and it becomes a lowercase b.
Explain that little b fits into big B.
Explicit Handwriting Practice
Programs like Fundations or Handwriting without Tears are great curriculums to practice handwriting. This practice reinforces correct letter formation and recognition.
Strategy #4 - Use Hand Dominance to your Advantage.
Use the hand the student writes with to distinguish between b and d.
Put a bracelet, rubber band, or sticker on the “b” hand (left hand) or the “d” hand (right hand). For example, if a student is right-handed, they would put the bracelet on their right hand, making it their d hand. If they are left-handed, their left hand becomes their b hand.
Thumbs Up👍: Have the student make a fist with their dominant hand, fingers facing them, and put their thumb up. This will show the shape of the letter.
Compare the shape of their hand to the printed letter. The goal is for students to form images of the letters in their minds, aiding recognition.
Later, you can use your hand to check b’s and d’s while reading words.
Practice every day for 4 weeks to see a difference. However, don’t get frustrated if it takes much longer. Just be consistent.
Strategy #5 - Use Creative Reinforcement
Personal Art Projects
Have students create artwork from letters. They should turn the letters into something that begins with that letter, like turning b into a "beaver" or "brush" and d into a "donut” or "diver."
Some parents find that posting these pictures around the house—in the bathroom, on the garage door, etc.—helps reinforce the connection. Because students invest personal thought into their art, they are more likely to retain the information.
When they encounter a b or d while reading, remind them to think about their artwork. An added bonus is that it provides fun artwork for your walls.
Sticker Prompt
Put ABCD stickers on your fingers of your left hand, starting with your pinky. Your hand will provide a reminder of how to form b and d. Check out this video from teachthemtothrive to understand how it works.
Lively Letters
You can use these fun flashcards from Lively Letters to help with tricky letters. These special cards, designed to aid letter recognition, are accompanied by stories that make the letters more memorable. Alternatively, you can create your own. own.
Don’t Give up too Soon!
Remember, patience and consistency are crucial in helping children overcome b/d reversals. Use one strategy diligently for one to three months before trying a new one. Teaching multiple strategies simultaneously may lead to further confusion. Experiment with different approaches to discover what works best for each child.
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