Signs of dyslexia in children: what parents notice at home

Many parents first sense that something is different long before anyone uses the word "dyslexia". Your child is bright, talks well and understands stories, yet reading and spelling seem to take far more effort than they should. Homework turns into tears. Teachers say "he just needs to practise more".

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects how the brain connects sounds with letters and words. It has nothing to do with intelligence or laziness. With the right support, children with dyslexia learn to read, do well in school and go on to successful careers. The earlier it is noticed, the easier that support becomes.

Early signs in preschool (ages 3 to 5)

• Finds it hard to learn nursery rhymes or to hear which words rhyme
• Struggles to learn letter names and sounds, even with lots of practice
• Mixes up the order of sounds in long words ("aminal" for "animal") for longer than other children
• Finds it hard to remember sequences such as days of the week
• Has a parent or sibling who also found reading hard (dyslexia often runs in families)

Signs in the early school years (ages 6 to 9)

• Reads very slowly, sounding out the same word again and again
• Guesses words from the first letter or the picture instead of reading them
• Still reverses letters like b and d, or p and q, after age 7
• Spells the same word in different ways on one page
• Loses their place on the line or skips lines while reading
• Is much better at answering questions aloud than in writing
• Avoids reading, or complains of tiredness or headaches at reading time

Signs in older children and teenagers

• Reads accurately but very slowly, and cannot finish exam papers in time
• Spelling remains weak even in familiar words
• Written answers are much shorter and simpler than what they can explain in speech
• Struggles to take notes, copy from the board or learn a new language
• Has started to say things like "I'm stupid" or "I hate school"

Dyslexia can look different in Hindi, Marathi and English

Many children in India, and Indian children abroad, learn to read in two or three languages. Hindi and Marathi in Devanagari are written much more closely to how they sound than English. So a child with dyslexia may read Hindi or Marathi fairly accurately but very slowly, while English spelling and reading show bigger problems. If your child is noticeably slower or more tired when reading than classmates in every language, that is worth paying attention to, even if the words come out right in the end.

What dyslexia is not

• It is not a sign of low intelligence. Many children with dyslexia are very creative, verbal and good at problem-solving.
• It is not a vision problem, although an eye check is always a sensible first step.
• It is not caused by poor parenting or "not enough tuition".
• Children do not simply grow out of it. They learn ways to work with it.

What you can do at home now

• Read aloud to your child every day, in any language, so they keep enjoying stories and building vocabulary.
• Play sound games: rhyming, clapping syllables, "I spy something that starts with mmm".
• Keep reading practice short and calm: ten relaxed minutes are better than an hour of struggle.
• Praise effort, not speed. Notice when they try a hard word.
• Talk to the teacher about what they see in class, and ask for small adjustments, such as more time or not being asked to read aloud in front of everyone.

When to get an assessment

If several of the signs above have continued for six months or more, despite good teaching and practice at home, it is time to get an assessment. A full assessment looks at reading, spelling, language, attention, visual perception and motor skills, so you understand exactly where the difficulty lies. A formal diagnosis of a specific learning disability is usually made by a clinical psychologist or a multidisciplinary team.

At Divya Place, occupational therapy and special education work together on the skills underneath reading and writing. Read more on our learning disability and dyslexia page, or start with our online learning style screening.

Questions parents ask

At what age can dyslexia be identified?

Clear signs often show in Class 1 to 3, around ages 6 to 8, when children are expected to read independently. Early warning signs, such as trouble with rhymes and letter sounds, can show as early as age 4 or 5.

Is letter reversal always a sign of dyslexia?

No. Reversing letters like b and d is common up to about age 7. It is more of a concern when it continues after that, or comes with other signs such as very slow reading and weak spelling.

Can a child with dyslexia do well in board exams?

Yes. With the right support, and exam accommodations such as extra time where the board allows it, many children with dyslexia do very well.

This article is general information for parents and does not replace an individual assessment.