Could Your Kiddo Have Dyslexia? What to Look For
Dyslexia is a common learning difference that affects how children process written and spoken language. Knowing and identifying the signs early can make a tremendous difference in getting the support they need. Here are some of the most common signs of dyslexia that we see in kiddos:
Difficulty with reading: Children with dyslexia often struggle with decoding words, which means breaking words down by sound and putting them back together. They may read more slowly than kiddos their age, or have trouble comprehending and remember what they’ve read.
Challenges with spelling and transposing letters and numbers: Frequent spelling errors, specifically those that don’t follow typical patterns, may be another indicator of dyslexia. Kiddos may spell words phonetically, but their attempts are inconsistent. Children with dyslexia also may tend to write in all capital letters, or consistently mix up letters like b/d, p/q, and m/w.
Difficulty following directions: Children with dyslexia may struggle to follow multi-step directions, even if the directions are initially understood.
Poor Rhyming Skills: Kiddos may have trouble recognizing or producing rhyming words, or may struggle breaking words down into syllables.
Lesser known signs of dyslexia: We sometimes see that kiddos with dyslexia have trouble with directionality, meaning the ability to tell left from right and up from down. Having trouble learning to tie shoes can also be a sign of dyslexia.
Early intervention is key for kiddos who have dyslexia. Support from educators and specialists who can provide the right tools for success is integral to helping these children thrive in their learning journey. If you think your kiddo may have dyslexia, we’d love to be a part of their path to success!
