What Are the Signs of Dyslexia?
Written by Julie Diamond, Founder & CEO of Diamond Teachers Group and a certified teacher in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada
Over the years, as a teacher in Ontario and British Columbia, I've worked with many students who learn differently, including children with dyslexia and other learning differences. While I am not qualified to diagnose dyslexia, I have often been one of the first educators to notice that a child may be struggling with reading in ways that deserve a closer look. Teachers spend many hours observing how children learn, and those observations can be an important first step in helping families seek the right support.
If you're wondering whether your child may have dyslexia, I hope this article helps you understand the common signs to look for and what to do next. If you have concerns, I always recommend speaking with your child's teacher and consulting a qualified healthcare professional or registered psychologist for a comprehensive assessment.
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects reading, spelling, and sometimes writing. It occurs because the brain processes language differently. Children with dyslexia often have difficulty recognizing speech sounds, connecting those sounds to letters, decoding unfamiliar words, and reading fluently.
It's important to remember that dyslexia has nothing to do with intelligence. Some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, and innovators have dyslexia including: Steven Spielberg, Richard Branson, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and many more. They simply learned differently and found strategies that worked for them.
Early Signs of Dyslexia
Some children begin showing signs before they even start school. While every child develops at their own pace, it's worth paying attention if you notice several of these signs over time.
Your preschooler might:
It takes longer to learn new words.
Have difficulty recognizing rhyming words.
Mix up similar-sounding words.
Struggle to learn the alphabet.
Have trouble remembering nursery rhymes or songs.
Have delayed speech or language development.
Find it difficult to follow multi-step directions.
One or two of these signs on their own usually aren't cause for concern. However, if several are present and continue over time, it's a good idea to speak with your child's teacher or healthcare provider.
Signs During Elementary School
Elementary school is often when dyslexia becomes more noticeable because reading expectations increase each year.
Here are some of the signs I commonly see when working with students:
Reading Challenges
Your child may:
Read much more slowly than classmates.
Guess words instead of sounding them out.
Skip words or lose their place while reading.
Have difficulty reading unfamiliar words.
Need to reread passages several times before understanding them.
Avoid reading whenever possible.
Many children with dyslexia work incredibly hard just to get through a short paragraph. Reading can be exhausting, even if they understand the content once someone reads it aloud.
Spelling Difficulties
Spelling is another area where dyslexia often appears.
Your child might:
Misspell common words over and over.
Spell the same word differently within the same assignment.
Leave out letters or syllables.
Mix up the order of letters.
Have difficulty remembering spelling patterns.
These mistakes occur because spelling relies on the same language-processing skills that are affected by dyslexia.
Writing Challenges
Writing often feels overwhelming because children have to think about their ideas while also remembering spelling, punctuation, grammar, and handwriting.
You may notice that your child:
Writes very little compared to what they can explain verbally.
Has trouble organizing their thoughts on paper.
Becomes frustrated during writing assignments.
Tires quickly when writing.
One thing I often tell parents is that if your child can explain something beautifully out loud but struggles to write it down, it's worth taking a closer look.
Signs in Older Children and Teens
Sometimes students aren't identified until middle school or high school. They've often learned to mask their struggles by memorizing words or avoiding reading whenever possible.
Older students may:
Read accurately but very slowly.
Avoid reading for pleasure.
Spend significantly longer on homework than their peers.
Have difficulty taking notes while listening.
Struggle with learning a second language.
Become anxious about reading aloud.
Feel frustrated because they know they're working harder than everyone else.
Unfortunately, many students begin to lose confidence if they don't understand why reading feels so difficult.
Common Myths About Dyslexia
There are still many misconceptions about dyslexia. One of the biggest myths is that children with dyslexia see letters backwards. While some children occasionally reverse letters, especially when they're young, dyslexia is not a vision problem. It is a language-processing difference.
Another myth is that children with dyslexia just need to read more. Practice is important, but practice alone isn't enough. Children with dyslexia benefit from explicit, structured reading instruction that teaches them how sounds and letters work together.
When Should You Seek Help?
As a teacher, I always encourage parents to trust their instincts.
If your child consistently struggles with reading despite classroom instruction, it's worth starting a conversation.
Talk with:
Your child's classroom teacher.
The school's special education or learning support team.
Your family doctor if appropriate.
A registered psychologist who can complete a psychoeducational assessment.
You don't have to wait until your child is failing. The earlier children receive support, the easier it is to build strong reading skills and confidence.
How You Can Help at Home
Whether your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia or you're simply noticing some warning signs, there are many ways you can support them, including:
Reading together every day, even if it's only for 10 or 15 minutes. Let your child listen to you read, take turns reading, or enjoy audiobooks together.
Celebrating effort instead of perfection. Reading is hard work for children with dyslexia, and recognizing their persistence helps build confidence.
Keep practice sessions short and positive. A few successful minutes each day is far more beneficial than a long session that ends in frustration.
Most importantly, remind your child that struggling with reading does not define who they are. Their strengths, talents, creativity, and kindness matter just as much as their academic skills.
You Know Your Child Best
If you've been wondering whether your child may have dyslexia, don't ignore that feeling. Parents are often the first to notice when something doesn't seem quite right.
Seeking answers isn't about putting a label on your child. It's about understanding how they learn so they can receive the support they deserve.
At Diamond Teachers Group, we've had the privilege of working with many students with dyslexia and other learning differences. With patience, evidence-based instruction, and the right support, we've seen struggling readers become confident learners who discover that they are capable of far more than they ever imagined.
Every child deserves to feel successful. Sometimes, all it takes is teaching them in the way they learn best.
If you have any questions, or would like more information about getting reading support for your child, please contact us.