How Do I Know If My Child Has Dyslexia?
Early Signs Parents Should Watch For
By Sarah Fudge, M.Ed. | Saybrook Reading and OG Learning Lab
As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. If you have noticed that your child struggles with reading in ways that seem different from their peers, you are not alone, and your instincts are worth paying attention to. Dyslexia is the most common learning difference in the world, affecting approximately 1 in 5 people. The good news is that early identification leads to early intervention, and early intervention changes outcomes.
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurological, language-based learning difference that affects a person's ability to read, spell, and decode written words. It is not a reflection of intelligence. Children with dyslexia are often creative, curious, and highly capable learners who simply process language differently. With the right instruction, they can and do become confident, skilled readers.
Early Signs to Watch For
The signs of dyslexia can appear as early as preschool. Parents should not wait for a child to fall far enough behind before seeking support. Here is what to look for at each stage:
Preschool and Kindergarten
• Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or recognizing rhyming words
• Trouble learning the alphabet, letter names, or letter sounds
• Delayed speech development or difficulty pronouncing words correctly
• Struggles to connect letters to their sounds
Early Elementary (Grades 1 to 3)
• Reading slowly, with significant effort, even after instruction
• Frequent letter or word reversals (b/d, was/saw) beyond age 7
• Difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words
• Inconsistent spelling, even of familiar words
• Avoidance of reading aloud or reading in general
• Strong verbal skills that do not match their reading ability
Later Elementary and Beyond
• Reading significantly below grade level despite intervention and tutoring
• Difficulty with reading comprehension due to the energy spent decoding
• Poor written expression compared to verbal communication
• Low reading stamina and frustration during reading tasks
What Dyslexia Does Not Look Like
Dyslexia is frequently misunderstood. It is not caused by laziness, lack of effort, or poor parenting. Many children with dyslexia are working twice as hard as their peers just to keep up. They are not seeing letters backwards. What they are experiencing is a difference in how the brain processes the sounds within words, known as phonological processing.
What to Do If You Are Concerned
If several of the signs above sound familiar, the next step is to seek a comprehensive evaluation from a qualified reading specialist or educational psychologist. You can also contact your child's school to request an evaluation at no cost. The earlier a child receives structured, systematic reading instruction using an evidence-based approach like Orton-Gillingham, the stronger their outcomes will be.
At Saybrook Reading and OG Learning Lab, we specialize in exactly this work. If you have questions about your child's reading development or would like to schedule a free consultation, we encourage you to reach out. Your child deserves to feel confident in school, and it starts with one conversation.
Sarah Fudge, M.Ed. is a Connecticut-certified special education teacher and literacy specialist with a Master's degree in Reading. She is the founder of Saybrook Reading and OG Learning Lab, located in Portland, CT. Contact us at info@saybrookreading.com or visit saybrookreading.com.