Dyslexia affects 1 in 4 children and is one of the most common learning differences, yet it often goes unnoticed or misunderstood. If your child struggles with reading, writing, or spelling, it can be worrying and frustrating—for both of you. But with the right understanding and support, your child can thrive academically and personally. This guide will help you recognise the signs of dyslexia, understand what it means, and learn how early screening and tailored tuition can make a lasting difference.
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that primarily affects reading, writing, and spelling skills. Many people still think it is related to intelligence or effort, but it is not: your child is just as capable as their peers but they just process language in a different way.
Dyslexia is neurological in origin, which means it’s linked to how the brain processes written and spoken language. It can affect phonological awareness (the ability to recognise and manipulate sounds in words), working memory, and the speed at which information is processed.
Dyslexia isn’t something that you can work on and find a ‘cure’ – is lifelong – but early identification and targeted support can help your child develop effective strategies to manage their learning and build confidence.
Common Myths About Dyslexia
Before we take a good look at the signs, it’s important to clear up some common misconceptions:
- Myth 1: Dyslexia is about seeing letters backwards.
While your child might sometimes reverse letters or numbers, dyslexia isn’t a visual problem. It’s about how the brain processes language. - Myth 2: Children with dyslexia are lazy or not trying hard enough.
In reality, your child may be working much harder than their peers to achieve the same results. - Myth 3: Dyslexia can be outgrown.
Dyslexia is lifelong, but with the right support, your child can learn strategies that allow them to succeed academically and professionally. - Myth 4: Only reading is affected.
Dyslexia can also impact spelling, writing, memory, organisation, and even confidence.
Early Signs of Dyslexia in Your Child
Spotting dyslexia early can make a huge difference, so the earlier you identify it, the easier it is to help your child develop coping strategies and avoid frustration.
Preschool and Early Years (Ages 3–6)
At this stage, your child is developing foundational language and literacy skills. Look out for signs that may indicate dyslexic traits. These include:
- Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or recognising rhyming patterns
- Trouble remembering the alphabet or learning letter sounds
- Mispronouncing familiar words or mixing up similar-sounding words
- Struggling to recognise their own name in print
- Difficulty following multi-step instructions
- A family history of dyslexia or reading difficulties
Primary School (Ages 6–11)
As your child begins formal reading and writing, signs of dyslexia often become more noticeable:
- Slow or hesitant reading, even with simple words
- Guessing words based on pictures or context rather than decoding them
- Difficulty spelling common words, often spelling the same word differently in one piece of writing
- Trouble remembering sequences, such as days of the week or times tables
- Avoiding reading aloud or becoming anxious when asked to read
- Difficulty copying from the board or taking notes
- Strong verbal skills but weaker written expression
Secondary School and Beyond (Ages 11+)
Older children and teenagers may have developed coping mechanisms, but signs can still be evident:
- Reading comprehension that doesn’t match verbal ability
- Slow reading speed that affects exam performance
- Persistent spelling difficulties
- Struggles with organisation, time management, or remembering instructions
- Avoidance of reading- or writing-heavy subjects
- Low self-esteem or frustration related to schoolwork
Emotional and Behavioural Signs
Although dyslexia primarily affects academic performance, it can also impact your child’s emotional wellbeing. When your child struggles to keep up with their peers, they may feel anxious, embarrassed, or frustrated. Look out for signs such as:
- Reluctance to go to school or complete homework
- Frequent complaints of headaches or stomach aches before reading tasks
- Low confidence or negative self-talk (“I’m stupid” or “I can’t do this”)
- Acting out or withdrawing in class to avoid embarrassment
Recognising these emotional signs is just as important as noticing academic difficulties. If you do spot these signs, early intervention can help rebuild your child’s confidence and help establish a positive attitude toward learning.
The Importance of Early Screening
If you notice several of these signs, it’s important to seek a professional screening. A dyslexia screening is a structured assessment that identifies whether your child shows traits consistent with dyslexia.
Early screening offers several benefits:
- Clarity and understanding: It helps you and your child understand why learning feels difficult.
- Tailored support: Screening results guide the development of personalised learning strategies.
- Confidence building: Knowing that difficulties have a name can be empowering for your child.
- Better outcomes: Early intervention leads to stronger literacy skills and improved academic performance.
Screening isn’t about labelling. It’s about helping you make the right decision to maximise your child’s potential. It provides answers on how to move forward and what the next steps should be, whether that is opting for a full assessment from an education psychologist or talking things through with your child’s school and developing a support plan.
How Dyslexia Tuition Can Help
Once dyslexia has been identified, targeted tuition can make a transformative difference. Specialist dyslexia tuition focuses on building literacy skills through structured, multisensory approaches that engage visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic learning styles.
Key Features of Effective Dyslexia Tuition
- Multisensory learning: Lessons combine sight, sound, and movement to reinforce understanding.
- Phonics-based instruction: Teaching the relationship between sounds and letters helps strengthen reading and spelling.
- Repetition and reinforcement: Concepts are revisited regularly to build long-term memory.
- Individualised pacing: Lessons move at a speed that suits your child’s needs.
- Confidence building: Positive reinforcement helps your child rediscover the joy of learning.
A specialist tutor understands the unique challenges dyslexic learners face and adapts teaching methods accordingly. Over time, your child can develop stronger literacy skills, greater self-belief, and more independence. If you would like to find out more about our specialised tuition sessions, please do get in touch.
Supporting Your Child at Home
You play a vital role in supporting your child’s learning journey. Small, consistent actions at home can make a big difference:
- Read together daily: Choose books that match your child’s interests, even if they’re below reading level.
- Use audiobooks: Listening to stories helps build vocabulary and comprehension without the stress of decoding.
- Encourage creativity: Activities like drawing, building, or storytelling allow your child to express themselves in different ways.
- Celebrate effort, not just results: Praise persistence and progress to build confidence.
- Stay organised: Use colour-coded folders, visual timetables, and checklists to support memory and organisation.
- Communicate with teachers: Share insights and strategies to ensure consistent support at school and home.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you still see signs of reading and writing difficulties despite extra support and early intervention at school, or if your child shows multiple signs of dyslexia, it’s time to consider professional assessment and tuition. This early action prevents frustration and helps your child develop the tools they need to succeed.
Professional dyslexia screening provides clarity, while specialist tuition offers practical solutions. Together, they form a powerful combination that can transform your child’s educational experience. This can make a huge difference for your child and give their confidence a much-needed boost.
How Screening and Tuition Services Can Help
Dyslexia screening services provide a detailed understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges. The process is friendly, supportive, and designed to make your child feel comfortable. After the screening, you’ll receive a clear report outlining next steps and recommendations for support. To find out more, click here.
Tuition services can then build on these insights, offering one-to-one sessions tailored to meet your child’s needs. Lessons focus on developing reading fluency, spelling accuracy, and writing confidence, while also nurturing that all-important self-esteem.
Our services are designed to empower your child to reach their full potential—academically, emotionally, and creatively. You can also find out more and get a feel of the type of support we offer by visiting our Facebook page.
Final Thoughts
Dyslexia is not a barrier to success; it’s simply a different way of learning. Many individuals with dyslexia go on to excel in creative, technical, and entrepreneurial fields. The key is early recognition, understanding, and the right support.
If you notice signs of dyslexia in your child, trust your instincts and seek professional guidance. Early screening and specialist tuition can make all the difference, turning frustration into confidence and unlocking a lifelong love of learning.
If you’re ready to take the next step, dyslexia screening and tuition services are available to provide expert guidance and personalised support. Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and with the right help, yours can.
If you would like to find out more about the service Emerald Education Centre offers, please get in touch. Email Elaine at elaine@emeraldeducationcentrebundoran.com or message me through our Facebook page www.facebook.com/emeraldeducationbundoran.