You may notice that your child is struggling with reading, and you know something isn’t quite right. Your child may be intelligent, curious, and articulate, but reading, spelling, or writing are becoming increasingly challenging for them.
Identifying the early signs of dyslexia can make a significant difference in your child’s long-term success at school. The earlier you notice the signs, the sooner you can find the right support for your child and avoid years of struggle.
This article breaks down the signs of dyslexia at each stage, from preschool through middle school.
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that affects how the brain processes language. It is not related to intelligence; in fact, many children with dyslexia are very bright.
Children with dyslexia typically struggle with:
- Decoding words
- Spelling
- Reading fluency
- Writing
Early support, especially with research-based, multi-sensory tutoring using the Orton Gillingham method, can help your child improve their reading and writing skills immensely.
Learn how to choose the right dyslexia tutor for your child, including what qualifications and teaching methods to look for, at How to Find the Best Dyslexia Tutor Near You.
Signs of Dyslexia in Preschool (Ages 3–5)
At the preschool age, dyslexia may not show up as a reading issue yet, but there are several early indicators of potential dyslexia.
Common signs include the following:
- Difficulty with rhyming words
- Trouble learning the letters of the alphabet
- Challenges identifying sounds in words
- Confusing sounds in words
- Trouble remembering names of colors or shapes
- Delayed speech development
These early challenges can indicate weaknesses with phonological awareness, an important precursor to reading.
Signs of Dyslexia in Kindergarten–1st Grade (Ages 5–7)
Kindergarten and first grade are years when formal reading instruction usually begins, and signs of reading challenges can become more visible.
Common signs of early reading challenges include:
- Trouble connecting letters to sounds
- Difficulty sounding out basic words, like “hot” or “pig”
- Looking at beginning sounds and guessing at words rather than reading them
- Avoiding reading altogether
- Challenges with spelling simple words
- Reversing letters and numbers when writing
Letter reversals alone don’t necessarily signify dyslexia, but persistent challenges with decoding can be an early indicator of dyslexia.
Signs of Dyslexia in 2nd–3rd Grade (Ages 7–9)
At this stage of elementary school, students start to transition from learning to read to reading to learn.
Children with dyslexia often have even more profound reading challenges at this time.
Common signs of dyslexia include:
- Slow, laborious reading
- Difficulty decoding unfamiliar words
- Weak spelling skills
- Trouble remembering sight words
- Challenges with understanding what they read, often due to slow, inaccurate reading
At this age, children may begin to feel frustrated with their skills, and their self-esteem can start to plummet.
Signs of Dyslexia in Upper Elementary and Middle School (Ages 9–13)
When students reach upper elementary school, dyslexia often shows up in more complex language-based tasks.
Common signs of dyslexia at this stage include:
- Reading below grade level
- Difficulty processing and summarizing text
- Challenges with writing assignments
- Weak spelling that isn’t improving
- Taking a long time to complete schoolwork, especially related to reading or writing
Early intervention with the right dyslexia tutoring can help prevent future challenges.
When Should Parents Be Concerned?
If you notice these early signs of dyslexia, don’t wait! It’s better to be proactive in seeking the right support for your child than reactive once the demands of school increase.
Consider seeking dyslexia tutoring if your child:
- Shows several signs detailed above
- Is falling behind in reading or writing
- Is becoming anxious or losing motivation
- Develops low self-esteem
Specialized tutoring using the right research-based, multi-sensory techniques can prevent long-term academic challenges and rebuild your child’s self-esteem.
What Parents Can Do Next
If you notice these struggles with your child, there are several steps you can take:
1. Don’t wait
Early intervention with evidence-based dyslexia tutoring near you is one of the most important elements of success.
2. Have your child evaluated
A formal evaluation can identify whether your child has dyslexia or another learning disability.
3. Seek research-based, multi-sensory tutoring
Tutoring that uses the Orton Gillingham approach is widely considered the most ideal approach for students with dyslexia.
Learn more about Orton Gillingham tutoring and why structured literacy instruction is considered one of the most effective approaches for students with dyslexia at What Is Orton Gillingham Tutoring? A Guide for Parents.
4. Provide emotional support
Children with dyslexia often internalize their struggles. Try to be encouraging and uplifting to help strengthen their self-confidence.
Knowledge Plus Tutoring and Step Up Funding
Knowledge Plus Tutoring provides one-on-one, research-based dyslexia tutoring to students of all ages using the Orton Gillingham approach and other multi-sensory techniques.
Many students in Florida may qualify for funding through the Step Up For Students scholarship programs, which can help cover the cost of specialized tutoring services for students with learning differences, including dyslexia.
Step Up funding may be available for:
- Orton Gillingham tutoring
- Reading intervention services
- Specialized educational support
- Multi-sensory instruction
- Executive functioning coaching
- One-on-one tutoring
- Virtual tutoring
- Specialized reading, writing, or math tutoring
Knowledge Plus Tutoring works with families to help students strengthen the following skills:
- Decoding skills
- Reading fluency
- Reading comprehension
- Spelling
- Writing
- Math
- Executive functioning
Parents who think their child may have dyslexia are encouraged to seek specialized tutoring early, since early intervention is one of the most important factors in long-term reading success.
Knowledge Plus Tutoring provides individualized Orton Gillingham tutoring both online and in person throughout Orange County and Palm Beach County to help students build stronger reading and writing skills. Contact us today to schedule an initial assessment and see how we can help your child thrive.
Closing Thoughts
Dyslexia is unrelated to intelligence, but it can affect your child’s self-esteem and overall performance at school. Recognizing signs of dyslexia early and taking action can help your child strengthen their skills and achieve long-term academic success.
With the right evidence-based dyslexia tutoring near you, children with dyslexia can become stronger readers and successful adults.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Signs of Dyslexia
What are the earliest signs of dyslexia?
The earliest signs of dyslexia may appear in preschool and can include challenges with phonemic awareness skills, such as rhyming, letter recognition, and identifying sounds in words.
At what age can dyslexia be diagnosed?
Dyslexia can usually be diagnosed as early as ages 5–7, which is when children begin learning to read. Early indications, however, may appear earlier, during preschool years.
Is it normal for young children to reverse letters?
Yes! Many children reverse letters when they are young. Letters like b/d and p/q are commonly reversed at early ages. However, if your child continues to reverse letters and shows early reading struggles, it may be an indication of dyslexia.
Does dyslexia affect intelligence?
No! Dyslexia is not related to intelligence. Many children with dyslexia are very bright and often excel in problem solving, creativity, and verbal skills.
Can dyslexia be cured?
Dyslexia cannot be cured; it is a lifelong learning challenge, but with the right instruction, particularly Orton Gillingham tutoring, children can learn to read and write proficiently and succeed in school.
What is the best way to help a child with dyslexia?
The most effective support for students with dyslexia includes:
- Orton Gillingham tutoring
- Early intervention
- Structured literacy instruction
- One-on-one instruction
- Consistent practice and repetition
Discover ways to help your child with dyslexia build stronger reading skills at home and through specialized tutoring support at Help Your Child With Dyslexia Build Stronger Reading Skills | Knowledge Plus Tutoring.
Dr. Emily Levy is the executive director of Knowledge Plus Tutoring and a special education expert. She holds her Doctorate Degree in Education and her Master’s Degree in Special Education, and has helped thousands of students with dyslexia develop their reading skills with individualized tutoring for over twenty years. She frequently speaks at national educational conferences and appears as an educational expert on podcasts. Dr. Levy is the author of the Strategies for Study Success, Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham, and Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook programs, all of which are used by students and schools nationwide. She has been featured in publications including Newsweek, Epoch Times, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine, and Macaroni Kids.
