5 Signs Your Child May Have Dyslexia (And What to Do)

Is Your Child Struggling with Reading? Here’s What You Need to Know

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, affecting 1 in 5 children. It’s a neurological condition that makes it difficult to process language, leading to challenges in reading, spelling, and writing. However, with early intervention and the right support, children with dyslexia can thrive!

If you’ve noticed your child struggling with literacy skills, it’s essential to recognize the early warning signs. Below are five key indicators of dyslexia—plus actionable steps to help your child succeed.

🔹 1. Difficulty Recognizing Letters & Sounds

Children with dyslexia often have trouble connecting letters to sounds (phonemic awareness). They might:

❌ Struggle to name letters quickly
❌ Confuse similar-looking letters (b/d, p/q)
❌ Have difficulty rhyming words
❌ Mispronounce words or use incorrect letter sounds

What to Do:

✅ Engage in phonemic awareness activities (clapping out syllables, rhyming games, letter sound matching)
✅ Seek an evaluation from a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) or educational specialist

🔹 2. Slow, Choppy Reading & Poor Fluency

Even after learning basic letter sounds, a child with dyslexia may:

❌ Struggle to blend sounds together into words
❌ Read at a much slower pace than peers
❌ Skip or repeat words while reading
❌ Avoid reading aloud due to frustration or embarrassment

What to Do:

✅ Encourage daily reading practice with books at their comfort level
✅ Use audiobooks to build comprehension without the stress of decoding
✅ Try repetitive reading (reading the same story multiple times to build fluency)

🔹 3. Difficulty with Spelling & Writing

Dyslexia affects a child’s ability to sound out words, making spelling difficult. Signs include:

❌ Spelling the same word differently in a single writing session
❌ Leaving out letters or mixing up letter order (e.g., "frind" instead of "friend")
❌ Difficulty copying words from a board or paper
❌ Trouble remembering spelling rules

What to Do:

✅ Use multisensory learning techniques (tracing letters in sand, using letter tiles, air writing)
✅ Focus on phonetic spelling patterns rather than memorization
✅ Try assistive technology like speech-to-text apps for writing assignments

🔹 4. Struggles with Learning Sight Words

Sight words (like the, said, was, come, does) don’t follow regular spelling patterns, which makes them harder for children with dyslexia to remember. Common struggles include:

❌ Difficulty recognizing common words even after repeated exposure
❌ Guessing words based on the first letter
❌ Forgetting words from one page to the next

What to Do:

✅ Use repetition and multisensory learning (flashcards, tapping out words, visual cues)
✅ Practice high-frequency words in context (reading simple books, short sentences)
✅ Try structured literacy programs that emphasize explicit phonics instruction

🔹 5. Trouble Following Verbal Instructions & Processing Language

Dyslexia doesn’t just affect reading—it can also impact a child’s ability to process spoken language. Signs include:

❌ Struggling to remember multi-step instructions
❌ Taking longer to respond to questions
❌ Having difficulty finding the right words in conversation
❌ Mixing up words that sound similar ("magazine" vs. "maze")

What to Do:

✅ Give clear, simple, step-by-step directions
✅ Use visual supports (pictures, checklists) to reinforce verbal instructions
✅ Encourage speech therapy to strengthen language processing skills

🌟 What’s Next? Getting Your Child the Right Support

If your child is showing multiple signs of dyslexia, early intervention is key! Here’s how you can help:

🔹 Get a Professional Evaluation: A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), educational psychologist, or dyslexia specialist can assess your child's strengths and challenges.
🔹 Advocate for Classroom Accommodations: Schools can provide Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 Plans with support like extra time on tests, audiobooks, or assistive technology.
🔹 Seek Speech-Language Therapy: Many children with dyslexia also struggle with language processing, phonemic awareness, and articulation—an SLP can help!

📞 Need Help? Contact Jo Close, SLP!

At Jo Close, SLP, we specialize in speech-language therapy and reading intervention for children with dyslexia and literacy challenges. Our personalized, evidence-based approach 

📍 Serving the Truckee-Tahoe area