Signs of Dyslexia in Children: What to Look For When School Starts
October is International Dyslexia Awareness Month and coincides with the first weeks of the school year. This is the time when parents and teachers observe how a child is coping with new demands: reading, spelling, and written assignments. If something concerns you, now is the right time to observe it carefully, without panicking.
In this article, you’ll learn about the most common signs of dyslexia by age, the myths that confuse parents, and when it’s worth seeking an evaluation from a specialist.
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability of a neurodevelopmental nature. It primarily affects the accurate and fluent reading of words and spelling, and is often associated with difficulty processing the sounds of language (phonological awareness).
It has nothing to do with intelligence, laziness, or how a parent raises their child. Many children with dyslexia are smart, creative, and very good at speaking. It’s just that their brains need a different approach to learn how to read and write.
10 Signs of Dyslexia by Age
A single symptom does not mean dyslexia. What matters is when several of the following symptoms appear together and persist, despite support at home and at school.
Preschool Age and Kindergarten
- Difficulty with rhymes and sound games. The child does not understand which words “go together” or has trouble identifying the sound with which a word begins.
- Delayed literacy development. He forgets the names or sounds of letters, even after many repetitions.
- He mixes up the order of the sounds in long words. For example, he says “potokami” instead of “potamaki,” or has trouble remembering the names of familiar objects.
1st through 3rd Grade
- Slow and tedious reading. He takes a long time to sound out words, gets tired quickly, and loses his place on the page.
- He confuses letters that look alike. Whether visual (b–d, e–o) or auditory (c–x, d–θ, b–φ), these errors do not diminish over time.
- Omissions, transpositions, and additions. He or she writes or reads “teno” instead of “train,” “garma” instead of “letter,” or adds syllables that aren’t there.
- Recurring spelling errors. He or she writes the same word differently on the same page and forgets rules that have already been taught.
- He reads without understanding. He guesses words based on the first letter or the picture, and then he can't say what he read.
4th grade and higher
- There is a significant difference between spoken and written language. He understands the material when it's being taught, but his written work scores much lower. His assignments take an excessive amount of time.
- Avoidance and emotional exhaustion. He refuses to read aloud, makes excuses for not reading, says “I’m stupid,” or doesn’t want to go to school. He often has trouble with sequences as well: months, pre-school, the time on a clock.
Four Myths That Delay Help
“He'll get over it; he's still young.”
Dyslexia does not go away on its own. The earlier support begins, the less the child loses in terms of knowledge and self-confidence.
“He's lazy; he doesn't try.”
Most children with dyslexia try harder than their classmates, but achieve less. Their fatigue may seem like apathy, but it isn't.
“He writes letters backwards, so he has dyslexia.”
Reversed letters are normal in the early stages of learning to write. We become concerned when they persist beyond the second grade, along with other signs.
“Dyslexia means low intelligence.”
Wrong. Dyslexia affects specific reading and writing skills, not a child’s general ability to think and learn.
When Is an Evaluation Needed?
It’s a good idea to consult a specialist when the symptoms persist for several months, when the teacher expresses concern, or when the child begins to avoid school and studying. You don’t have to wait for them to “grow out of it”: even before a formal diagnosis, early intervention can help significantly.
A comprehensive evaluation is conducted by a multidisciplinary team (speech-language pathologist, special education teacher, psychologist) and examines:
- phonological awareness and spoken language
- Reading: Accuracy, Speed, and Comprehension
- Spelling and Written Expression
- writing and motor skills, attention, and organization
- the child's emotional image
To receive accommodations at school, such as an oral exam, an official evaluation from the relevant KEDASY or a certified public agency is required. A private evaluation gives you a clear picture of what your child needs and helps you prepare for this process.
How Does Therapeutic Intervention Help?
Dyslexia cannot be “cured” in the sense that it disappears. With the right support, however, the child learns to read and write with ease, develops strategies, and regains their self-confidence. Depending on the child’s needs, the program may include:
- Speech Therapy, for phonological awareness, decoding, and text comprehension.
- Special Education, using multisensory methods for reading, spelling, and study skills.
- Occupational Therapy, when difficulties with writing, fine motor skills, or attention coexist.
- Psychological support, regarding the child's anxiety, frustration, and self-image.
- Parenting Counseling, so that the home becomes an ally rather than a battlefield.
What You Can Do at Home Starting Today
- Read together for a little while every day—10 to 15 minutes—in a relaxed atmosphere. Take turns: you read one page, then your child reads one.
- Play with sounds: rhymes, “words that start with…,” clapping out syllables with your hands.
- Break the study into small segments with short breaks.
- Praise the effort, not just the result. Avoid comparisons with siblings and classmates.
- Take advantage of audiobooks so your child can enjoy stories without the burden of reading.
- Talk to the teacher early in the school year and share your observations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dyslexia
At what age can dyslexia be diagnosed?
Typically, a formal diagnosis is made after the child has been systematically taught to read—that is, from the end of second grade onward. However, early signs appear sooner, and intervention can begin as early as preschool.
Does dyslexia go away over time?
No, it is a different way of processing language that stays with a person throughout their life. With the right support, however, children with dyslexia read, study, and excel in every area.
How do learning disabilities differ from dyslexia?
“Learning disabilities” is a general term. Dyslexia is the best-known specific learning disability and primarily affects reading and spelling. There are others, such as dysgraphia and dyscalculia.
Should I let the teacher know?
Yes. The teacher sees the child every day and can adapt the way they assess the child and assign tasks. Collaboration between the school, the family, and therapists yields the best results.
How long does an evaluation take?
It is usually completed in two to three sessions, so that the child does not get tired, and is followed by a meeting with the parents to provide them with specific recommendations.
Schedule an appointment for an evaluation
If you recognize your child in any of the signs listed above, don’t wait until the end of the school year. The multidisciplinary team at the Specialized Treatment Center can assess your child’s needs and work with you to design a personalized program.