Spotting dyslexia early can make all the difference.
Dyslexia is a common specific learning difficulty that mainly affects reading, writing and spelling. It isn’t linked to intelligence, but without the right support it can affect a child’s confidence, their progress at school, and their ability to get ideas down on paper. The earlier it’s understood, the sooner children can get the help they need.
Early signs of dyslexia by age
Preschool and early years (ages 3 to 6)
- Finds it hard to recognise letters, spot rhymes or clap the syllables in words
- Struggles to learn nursery rhymes or sequences, such as the days of the week
- Mispronounces familiar words, for example saying “aminal” for “animal”
- Finds instructions with more than one step hard to follow
At this age, children develop at very different rates, so these are things to keep an eye on rather than worry about. I assess from age 8, when an assessment can give a much more reliable picture. If you’re concerned about a younger child, talk to their school about support now. You don’t need a diagnosis for help to start.
Primary school (ages 6 to 11)
- Reads slowly, often guessing words rather than sounding them out
- Makes frequent spelling mistakes, even with simple words they’ve practised
- Finds copying from the board, or remembering key facts, hard
- Avoids reading aloud or writing tasks
- Has great ideas when talking, but struggles to get them onto paper
- Produces written work that’s disorganised or hard to read
Secondary school (ages 11 and over)
- Reads slowly and finds it hard to summarise what they’ve read
- Finds written assignments hard, despite strong spoken skills
- Struggles to organise themselves and manage schoolwork
- Lacks confidence in reading, or avoids tasks that involve writing
- Finds essay structure, handwriting or finding the right words hard
What if words seem to move on the page?
Some children say letters “jump” or blur, or that text is uncomfortable to look at. This isn’t a sign of dyslexia on its own, and it’s worth getting their eyes checked by an optician first. Before a dyslexia assessment, the person being assessed needs to have had a sight test in the last 12 months.
Why understanding it early helps
The right support, at the right time, can make a real difference to reading, writing and spelling, and to a child’s confidence. Understanding how a child learns also helps everyone around them, at home and at school, give the kind of help that works.
What to do if you notice these signs
Most children show some of these signs sometimes. What matters is when lots of them happen, and they keep happening despite extra help. For a fuller list, try my 16-point checklist for parents, based on the British Dyslexia Association’s checklists.
If the signs sound familiar, a full diagnostic assessment can give you clear answers, along with practical recommendations for home and school. You can find out more on my information for parents page.
Concerned about dyslexia? Email me at rosie@dyslexiadiscovery.org or send an enquiry, and we can talk through whether an assessment is right for your child.
