If your child keeps falling behind in reading or spelling and extra help doesn’t seem to make a difference, it could be more than just a learning gap. To diagnose dyslexia, you’ll need a proper evaluation, which looks at how your child processes language, not just their test scores.
Understanding Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difference that impacts the way the brain processes language. Children with dyslexia often struggle to read accurately and fluently, and they may have trouble with spelling and sounding out words. These difficulties are linked to how they recognize and work with the sounds in language—not their intelligence or the quality of their instruction.
Children with dyslexia may also experience problems in reading comprehension and a diminished reading experience, which may impede their vocabulary and background knowledge development.
Early Warning Signs: Preschool Through High School
Identifying dyslexia can be challenging, as its signs evolve with age and increasing academic demands. Here’s a look at common indicators across different developmental stages:
Preschool & Kindergarten
Even before formal reading instruction, subtle signs of dyslexia can emerge. You might notice delayed speech development or difficulty pronouncing words. Struggling with rhyming words (e.g., “cat,” “hat”) is a standard indicator.
Children may also struggle to recognize letters in their own name or associate letters with their corresponding sounds. Challenges with sound-based word games and persistent difficulty learning the alphabet are also potential signs. Early challenges with language comprehension, such as difficulty following complex instructions, can also be observed.
Elementary School
As formal reading begins, signs become more apparent. Reading may be slow, choppy, and effortful, even with familiar words. Frequent word substitutions (e.g., “house” for “home”), skipping words, or losing their place are common. Poor reading comprehension often results from excessive energy spent on decoding. A strong dislike of reading aloud is also typical.
In spelling, children may struggle with persistent misspellings of common words and phonetic errors (e.g., “rite” for “right”). Letter reversals that persist beyond typical development, as well as messy handwriting and difficulty organizing thoughts in writing, are also indicators of dyslexia. A speech-language pathologist can often identify these early literacy struggles.
Middle & High School
In later grades, signs can become more evident as academic demands increase. Older students with dyslexia may put off reading and writing assignments, often as a way to avoid frustration. They might work more slowly than their peers, especially when it comes to written tasks. Learning a foreign language—particularly mastering pronunciation—can be especially difficult. Even when they understand material verbally, their test scores may not reflect it. Struggles with organization are also common.
Why a Thorough Evaluation Is Crucial to Diagnose Dyslexia
Noticing these signs is an important first step. If several of them sound familiar, it may be time to schedule a full evaluation to better understand your child’s needs. A qualified professional, such as a speech-language pathologist, can conduct the in-depth assessments needed for an accurate diagnosis. This process helps understand your child’s unique learning profile, providing the foundational understanding for the path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dyslexia be cured?
Dyslexia is a lifelong learning difference, not a disease. While it cannot be “cured,” appropriate, individualized, evidence-based instruction helps individuals learn to read, spell, and comprehend effectively. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes.
Will my child outgrow dyslexia?
No, dyslexia is not something a child outgrows. The challenges may change as they age and learn coping strategies, but the underlying neurological difference remains. Specialized instruction helps children develop strategies to manage these challenges.
How does dyslexia impact language comprehension?
While dyslexia primarily affects decoding and spelling, its impact on language comprehension can be significant. If a child expends too much mental energy on sounding out words, they have little cognitive capacity left to understand the text’s meaning, leading to “comprehension bottleneck.” Therefore, an evaluation for dyslexia may include assessing both word-level reading and higher-level comprehension skills.
Taking the Next Step
If you think your child may be having trouble with reading, spelling, or spoken language, don’t hesitate to reach out. A thorough evaluation can provide the clarity and direction you need to accurately and effectively diagnose dyslexia.
At Educational Inspiration, we specialize in providing comprehensive language and reading evaluations designed to give you clear answers and actionable recommendations. We’re committed to giving parents the knowledge and tools they need to confidently help their child succeed.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward unlocking your child’s full learning potential.