Is My Child Dyslexic? Recognising the Signs of Dyslexia - A Guide for Parents

As parents, we all want to see our children thrive and succeed in every aspect of their lives. When you notice your child struggling with reading, writing, or spelling despite their abilities and effort, it can be a challenging and emotional experience. Dyslexia, a common learning difficulty, affects many children and adults. It mainly causes problems with reading, writing, and spelling, impacting certain abilities essential for learning. 

There are many successful people that have not let their dyslexia define them or hold them back. Such as; 

Albert Einstein - Renowned physicist and mathematician known for his theory of relativity.

Walt Disney - Founder of the Disney empire and creator of beloved animated characters.

Steven Spielberg - Legendary filmmaker and director of blockbuster movies.

Richard Branson - Entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group.

Agatha Christie - Famous mystery writer known for her detective novels.

Jamie Oliver - Celebrity chef and restaurateur.

Harry Styles - Singer and former member of One Direction, also known for his solo music career.

Timothée Chalamet - Famous British actor.

Justin Bieber - Pop singer songwriter and model.

With the right support and understanding, your child can overcome these challenges and reach their full potential. In this article, we cover how to recognise the signs of dyslexia and how to support your child through their dyslexia journey.

Recognising the Signs of Dyslexia

Spotting the signs of dyslexia early can make a significant difference in your child’s educational experience. Here are some indicators to look out for at different stages:

Pre-School Aged Children *

• Difficulty learning nursery rhymes

• Trouble paying attention, sitting still, or listening to stories

• Enjoys stories but shows no interest in letters or words

• Struggles to learn the alphabet

• History of slow speech development

• Mixes up words (e.g. "cubumber" for "cucumber")

• Difficulty keeping a simple rhythm

• Finds it hard to follow multiple instructions at once but can manage smaller tasks

• Forgets names of friends, teacher, or colours

• Poor auditory discrimination

• Confusion with directional words (e.g. up/down)

• Family history of dyslexia or reading difficulties

• Difficulty with sequencing tasks (e.g. arranging coloured beads)

• Substitutes words (e.g. "lampshade" for "lamppost")

• Appears not to be listening or paying attention

• Inconsistent performance, with obvious 'good' and 'bad' days

Recognising potential speech and language challenges early on is incredibly valuable, as it gives us the opportunity to nurture a child's language abilities before they enter school. This early support plays a vital role in preparing them for successful reading and learning experiences as they grow.

Primary School-Aged Children*

General Signs

• Slow spoken and/or written language processing

• Poor concentration

• Difficulty following instructions

• Forgetting words

Written Work

• Poor written work compared to oral ability

• Messy work with many corrections

• Confusion between similar-looking letters (b/d, p/g)

• Poor handwriting with many reversals

• Inconsistent spelling of the same word

• Anagrams of words (e.g., tired for tried)

• Poor pencil grip and phonetic spelling

Reading

• Slow reading progress

• Difficulty blending letters

• Struggles with syllable division

• Unusual word pronunciation

• Hesitant, laboured reading, especially aloud

• Skips or adds words

• Fails to recognise familiar words

• Poor comprehension and picking out main points

Numeracy

• Confusion with place value (units, tens)

• Difficulty remembering sequences (tables, days)

• Confused by symbols (+, x)

Time

• Difficulty telling time

• Poor timekeeping and organisation

• Struggles with days of the week, months, seasons

Skills

• Poor motor skills, leading to weak pencil control

• Memory difficulties with routines and rote learning

• Confused by left/right, up/down

• Indeterminate hand preference

• Uneven performance

Behaviour

• Avoids work, seems dreamy, or distracted

• Disruptive or withdrawn

• Excessively tired from concentration

A combination of these indicators, alongside areas of strength, may suggest dyslexia and warrant further investigation.

Secondary School Aged Children*

Dyslexia comprises both abilities and challenges, with the contrast between them often providing a key clue. Dyslexic individuals may excel orally, showcasing creativity, artistic talent, or athleticism, alongside a cluster of difficulties that vary from person to person.

Indicators of Dyslexia

Written Work

• Poor standard of written work compared to oral ability

• Messy handwriting or slow writing speed

• Inconsistent spelling and frequent crossings-out

• Difficulty with punctuation and/or grammar

• Struggles with organising homework and completing tasks on time
  

Reading

• Hesitant and laboured reading, especially aloud

• Omissions, repetitions, or additions of words

• Reads fluently but has low comprehension

• Difficulty recognising familiar words or losing place easily

Numeracy

• Difficulty remembering tables and/or basic number sets

• Problems with sequencing and confusing mathematical signs

• Reliance on calculators for simple arithmetic despite strong mathematical reasoning

Other Areas

• Confusion with directions (left/right)

• Struggles with learning foreign languages and recalling names

• Difficulty processing information quickly

• Misunderstands complex questions and struggles with memory for instructions

• 
  

Behaviour

• Disorganisation and forgetfulness, especially over schedules and appointments

• Easily distracted and finds it challenging to stay focused

• Often in the wrong place or late due to difficulties with time management

• Fatigued from the concentration required for tasks

A combination of these indicators alongside areas of strength may suggest dyslexia. Further evaluation through a Diagnostic Assessment is always recommended for accurate diagnosis and appropriate support.

Seeking a Diagnosis

If you suspect your child has dyslexia, seeking a formal diagnosis is a crucial step. In the UK, this can often be initiated through discussions with your child’s school. The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) at the school can arrange for an assessment by an educational psychologist or a specialist dyslexia teacher. This assessment often doesn’t happen until the child is age 7, but may include cognitive testing, achievement testing, and a language processing assessment.

Samantha Lavender, Grace’s Special Needs and Neurodiversity Advice Manager says: 

‘Remember, dyslexia is just one part of who your child is. Many successful individuals, including entrepreneurs, scientists, musicians and artists, have dyslexia and it hasn’t hindered their achievements. With patience, understanding, and the right support, your child can achieve their dreams and aspirations.

Embrace this journey with compassion and optimism. Your support and advocacy can make a world of difference in your child’s life, helping them navigate their challenges and celebrate their successes.’

How we can help.

We know that navigating 'the system', accessing assessments, and supporting your child can be frustrating and often feels like an uphill struggle.  

Get in touch, and our dedicated team of Neurodiversity Advisers can provide you with the support you need.

*British Dyslexia Association https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/children/is-my-child-dyslexic

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Grace Consulting are the UK’s founding providers of expert independent advice on elderly care advice, special needs advice and neurodiversity advice. 

Independence and client wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. We listen, reassure and advise you on how to move forwards and find the best possible solutions for your unique life challenges.