If your child finds reading unusually difficult, it can be tempting to assume they simply need more practice. But sometimes the problem goes deeper than that. Dyslexia affects the way the brain processes written language. It has nothing to do with how intelligent a child is, and many bright, capable children struggle with reading because of it.
Common Early Signs
● Difficulty learning letter sounds, despite repeated practice
● Trouble rhyming words
● Reading noticeably slower or less accurately than classmates
● Reversing letters (b/d) or numbers past the age this is typical
● Avoiding reading aloud, or reading tasks in general
Dyslexia is a processing difference*, not a vision problem or a sign of low effort — children with dyslexia are often working much harder than their peers just to keep up.
Signs by School Stage
● Early years: slow letter recognition, difficulty rhyming
● Primary school: slow, effortful reading; frequent guessing at words based on shape
● Older children: strong verbal skills but weak written performance, avoiding reading-heavy subjects
What Helps
Children with dyslexia often benefit from structured, phonics-based reading instruction, including approaches such as Orton-Gillingham or similar methods. Extra reading time and audiobooks can also help children keep developing their comprehension while their reading skills catch up.
If several of these signs are showing up together, a formal learning disability assessment, usually carried out by an educational psychologist, can help confirm whether dyslexia is involved and identify the support your child needs.