10 Early Signs of Dyslexia: How to Spot the Red Flags in Your Child

As a parent, there’s nothing harder than watching your child struggle in school, especially when you don’t know why. Maybe they’re having a tough time learning to read or write, or they get overwhelmed by simple assignments. If that sounds familiar, dyslexia could be part of the picture.

The earlier you recognize the signs, the sooner you can get your child the right support—and that can make a huge difference in how they feel about learning.

Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects how children process written and spoken language. It’s one of the most common learning challenges, affecting roughly one in ten people. The good news is that with early support, children with dyslexia can learn to thrive in school and beyond.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 early signs of dyslexia, so you know what to look for and how to take the next steps toward helping your child.

WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?

Dyslexia is a neurological condition that makes it harder for the brain to process language. Children with dyslexia often struggle with reading fluency, spelling, writing, and recognizing words, even when they’re trying their best.

It’s important to remember that dyslexia has nothing to do with intelligence. In fact, many children with dyslexia are incredibly bright and creative. But if the signs go unnoticed, they may start to lose confidence, fall behind in class, or even feel like they’re failing—when really, their brain just works a little differently.

Every child experiences dyslexia differently. Some may show clear signs early on, while others may develop symptoms more gradually.

10 EARLY SIGNS OF DYSLEXIA

1. Trouble with Rhyming
Does your child struggle to recognize or come up with rhyming words like cat and hat? Trouble with rhyming is often one of the earliest signs of dyslexia and points to challenges with phonological awareness.

2. Difficulty Learning the Alphabet
It’s normal for young kids to mix up letters at first, but if your child has an ongoing hard time remembering the alphabet or often confuses similar letters like b and d or p and q, it could be a red flag.

3. Struggling to Break Words into Sounds
Sounding out words is a key reading skill. If your child has trouble separating a word like “cat” into its individual sounds—c-a-t—they may be struggling with phonemic awareness.

4. Spelling Challenges
Children with dyslexia often have inconsistent or unusual spelling. They might spell the same word differently throughout one paragraph or reverse letters when writing. They may also confuse words that sound alike, like “flour” and “flower.”

5. Slow or Choppy Reading
Reading aloud might feel like a struggle for your child. You might notice them guessing words, skipping lines, or hesitating with unfamiliar words. Their reading may seem labored or frustrating.

6. Trouble Following Directions
If your child has a hard time following multi-step directions or remembering what they were told to do, it could be related to dyslexia. Challenges with working memory are common in children with this learning difference.

7. Messy or Hard-to-Read Handwriting
Handwriting might be slow, disorganized, or hard to read. Your child may have trouble keeping words spaced evenly or may frequently reverse letters and numbers.

8. Avoiding Reading and Writing
Children often know when they’re struggling, and many will try to avoid the tasks that make them feel frustrated. If your child consistently resists reading or writing, it may be because they’re feeling discouraged or overwhelmed.

9. Difficulty Remembering What They Read
Dyslexia can affect short-term memory and make it harder for children to remember things they just read or learned. If they frequently forget new vocabulary or can’t recall key details, take note.

10. Family History of Reading Struggles
Dyslexia often runs in families. If you, a sibling, or another close relative has had reading or language difficulties, your child may be more likely to experience the same challenges.

WHY CATCHING IT EARLY MATTERS

Early identification of dyslexia can significantly impact a child’s school experience. When we recognize the signs early and get the right help in place, children are more likely to build confidence, keep up with their classmates, and enjoy learning again.

But when dyslexia goes unnoticed, children may begin to feel frustrated, fall behind academically, and even experience anxiety or low self-esteem. That’s why acting early is so important.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT DYSLEXIA

If some of these signs sound familiar, here are a few steps you can take:

Talk to Your Child’s Teacher
Teachers are often the first to notice learning struggles. Set up a meeting to share your concerns and ask what they’ve observed in the classroom.

Consult a Specialist
A licensed psychologist or educational specialist can perform a psychoeducational evaluation to determine whether your child has dyslexia. This process usually includes reading assessments, cognitive tests, and classroom observations.

Start Early Intervention
Evidence-based programs like Orton Gillingham, Wilson, or Barton are designed specifically for dyslexic learners. These structured literacy approaches teach reading in a way that works for your child’s brain.

Get Support at School
If your child is diagnosed with dyslexia, they may qualify for classroom accommodations through a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP). These supports can include extra time on tests, reduced homework, or the use of audiobooks and speech-to-text tools.

FINAL THOUGHTS: YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Dyslexia can be challenging, but it doesn’t define your child. With the right tools and support, children with dyslexia can learn to read and write with confidence—and go on to achieve amazing things.

Just look at people like Richard Branson, who struggled in school but went on to build a business empire. The difference? Understanding his learning style and getting the support he needed.

If you’re noticing early signs of dyslexia, you’ve already taken the first step by seeking answers. The next step is getting the right support—and we’re here to help.

The Mind Center LLC offers psychoeducational evaluations and personalized guidance to help you and your child move forward. You can also explore our upcoming workshops at https://themindcenterforkids.com/workshop to learn more about how to support your child’s learning journey.

Book a free consultation today and let’s take that next step together.

The Mind Center, LLC is a thought leadership mental health brand dedicated to helping parents, their kids, and the schools they attend.   At The Mind Center LLC, we specialize in psycho-educational evaluations and offer a range of services to support children. Contact us today.