What Are the Warning Signs of Possible Dyslexia in Children?

When reading becomes a daily struggle: noticing the early signs

If you're a parent of a child between 6 and 12, you've probably seen how school life can turn into a tightrope walk. Between homework battles and anxious mornings, there may be a deeper issue at play—especially if reading and writing seem harder than they should be. One learning difficulty that often hides in plain sight is dyslexia, and understanding the early signs is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child.

What does dyslexia look like in real life?

Dyslexia isn't just reversing letters or confusing b and d. It’s a specific learning difference that affects how the brain processes language. Kids with dyslexia often have perfectly average or above-average intelligence, but they struggle with reading fluency, spelling, and sometimes even putting their thoughts into written words.

Picture this: your child spends an hour reading one short paragraph, stumbles on common words they knew last week, avoids reading out loud in class, or feels deeply ashamed for not keeping up. These aren’t just frustrating moments—they could be early flags worth exploring.

To understand dyslexia more deeply, you might find this article helpful: How to Detect and Support a Child With Moderate Dyslexia in Daily Life.

Signs that might signal a need for further attention

Every child learns at their own pace, which makes identifying dyslexia a delicate process. But when the same struggles persist over months or years, patterns start to emerge. Here are the signs that should prompt deeper inquiry:

• Persistent difficulty with reading, especially reading out loud. Your child might struggle to sound out words or guess incorrectly based on just the first letter.
• Problems with spelling—not just tough words, but basic, high-frequency ones that other kids have mastered.
• Trouble remembering sequences like days of the week, phone numbers, or how to follow multi-step instructions.
• Difficulty with rhyming words or recognizing similar-sounding patterns—something typically developed in early reading journeys.
• Low self-esteem around academics. Your child might refer to themselves as "dumb" or express a quiet desire to hide when it’s reading time.

Sound familiar? If you want to go back even further in development, this article may offer some context: Is My 5-Year-Old Showing Early Signs of Dyslexia?.

The emotional weight of silent struggles

If your child is living with undiagnosed dyslexia, the weight of classrooms, tests, and comparison can be heavy. They may try to avoid school, withdraw emotionally, or even act out. As parents, it’s heartbreaking to see a child lose their sparkle over something we can’t always name immediately.

What often goes unseen are the social effects—how differences in learning might erode confidence and cause deep internal doubts. That’s why catching signs early isn’t just about academics—it’s about protecting your child’s emotional well-being too. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, you’re not overreacting. You're advocating.

Replacing frustration with empowerment

So what now? If these signs resonate, consider talking to your child’s teacher or school support team. Educational psychologists can help with official assessments. From there, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or accommodations like audio support, extended time, and specialized instruction can make a world of difference.

At home, it helps to build a literacy-friendly environment that doesn’t center around forced reading. One powerful (and often underestimated) tool is audiobooks. Listening bypasses the decoding stress of written words while still nurturing a love for stories, imagination, and vocabulary. For families walking this path, the iOS and Android app LISN Kids offers original audiobooks and audio series specially created for kids aged 3–12. It’s a gentle way to bring stories back into your child’s life—without the pressure of text.

Wondering how to create an inviting experience around stories for your child? Explore this guide on how to build a trusting environment around reading for a dyslexic child.

Hope lies in understanding

Dyslexia is not something to be feared—it’s something to be understood and embraced with the right support. In fact, many children with dyslexia later become leaders, creatives, and problem-solvers with unique perspectives. The path to that success starts with recognition. And that often begins with a parent like you—tired, perhaps, but still unwavering in your love.

If you're looking for more book suggestions that support dyslexic readers, you might find inspiration in this list: Best Books for a 9-Year-Old With Dyslexia.