An important caveat before anything else: almost every sign on this list is a completely normal part of early literacy development for most children. This is general information to help you decide whether it's worth a conversation with school, not a checklist for diagnosing dyslexia at home.
What dyslexia is, in simple terms
Dyslexia is a common, lifelong difference in how the brain processes written language, particularly around connecting letters to sounds. It's not linked to intelligence, and with the right support, dyslexic children read and write successfully — early identification just makes that support more effective.
Signs that might be worth watching, if persistent
- Persistent difficulty connecting letters to their sounds, well after consistent phonics teaching
- Reversing letters (b/d, p/q) regularly, beyond the age most children stop doing this naturally
- Difficulty rhyming or hearing individual sounds in words, compared to same-age peers
- A family history of dyslexia — it does run in families, and is worth mentioning to school if relevant
- A noticeable gap between a child's spoken vocabulary and understanding, and their reading/writing progress
Why the "normal at this age too" caveat matters so much
Letter reversals, for example, are extremely common up to around age 7 and don't indicate dyslexia in most children who show them. Context matters far more than any single sign — persistence over time, and a pattern across several signs at once, is what's actually worth flagging, not any one item in isolation.
What to do if you're concerned
Start with your child's school — a chat with the class teacher or SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) is the natural first step, and schools have processes for observing and supporting children who might need extra help, with or without a formal diagnosis. A formal assessment, if needed, typically follows school-based observation rather than being the first step.
What helps regardless of a diagnosis
Multisensory, low-pressure phonics practice tends to help most early readers, dyslexic or not. Our simple phonics activities post and Reading, Writing & Literacy category are both free starting points.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — if you have concerns about your child's reading development, speak to their school or GP rather than relying on an article alone.
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