How do I know if its dyslexia?
A few weeks ago, I met with a lovely group of parents to talk about dyslexia and how best to support our children. During the conversation, we discussed how difficult it can be to know whether your child might be dyslexic, and the constant second-guessing that so often comes with being a parent. This really resonated with me, as it’s something I experienced myself when considering a diagnosis for my own children.
I hope I can support you here by sharing some of the traits and behaviours I would look for, both as a parent and as a teacher, that may suggest a child is dyslexic.
Reading feels hard, slow, or exhausting
Your child may:
avoid reading or tire quickly
read accurately but very slowly
guess words or lose their place
read longer words more accurately than short, frequent words (for example the, and, it)
Spelling is inconsistent and tricky
You might see:
very inconsistent spelling (the same word spelled differently each time)
the same word spelled differently on the same page
spelling that looks “younger” than your child’s spoken language
Difficulty remembering sequences or instructions
You might notice:
difficulty remembering days of the week, months, or times tables
trouble following multi-step instructions
forgetting letter sounds they have practised many times
Strong verbal skills but weak written work
Many dyslexic children:
explain ideas clearly and confidently when talking
struggle to get those ideas down on paper
know the answer but can’t show it in writing
Emotional signs around learning
This is often overlooked, but very important:
low confidence around reading or writing
saying “I’m stupid” or “I can’t do it”
anxiety, frustration, or avoidance of schoolwork — sometimes labelled as laziness or lack of attention
It’s also important to remember that parents of neurotypical children don’t usually spend large amounts of time researching or worrying about their child’s learning. If you’re here, asking these questions, that in itself may be the reassurance you are searching for.
Some more resources which might help are;
Signs of dyslexia - British Dyslexia Association
