Signs & symptoms

Signs of dyslexia can be seen even in young children. Symptoms to look for include if an individual:

Ages 4 – 5

• Is unable to identify words that rhyme
• Has difficulty recognizing when words start with the same sound, like the words “bug” and “ball”
• Struggles to learn letter names and sounds

Ages 6 – 7

• Has difficulty sounding out new words and recognizing common words
• Guesses at words or substitutes similar words when reading books or stories
• Has poor spelling
• Struggles to complete tasks that involve reading or writing, tries to avoid these tasks or gets frustrated

Older children & adults

• Reads slowly, often confusing, mispronouncing or skipping common words
• Writes slowly and laboriously
• Incorrectly decodes and mispronounces unfamiliar words, such as the names of people or places
• Has trouble learning another language
• Writes with difficulty, and has issues with spelling, grammar, and organizing thoughts
• Avoids tasks that require reading and writing

Often, people who are struggling to read are also dismissed as “slow learners,” “just needing a little more time,” “unmotivated,” or “lazy,” when in fact, they may have dyslexia.

These signs alone do not necessarily mean a child has dyslexia. But if you notice persistent difficulty with these skills, don’t “wait and see” if the child will catch up.  Intervention is most effective when it starts early. For more information on next steps if you are concerned, see Effective reading intervention.