Signs of Dyslexia at Different Ages
Dyslexia has a wide range of possible signs and symptoms. The signs that are present in one child or adult with dyslexia may be different than another child or adult with dyslexia. As a result, dyslexia can look different in one individual to the next.
Additionally, the signs of dyslexia that a child has may seem to change or appear differently as they get older. This is not typically due to the symptoms themselves changing, but rather, the result of development and coping mechanisms being used for the struggles caused by dyslexia.
Despite this variation, there are a number of common signs and symptoms that we tend to see in most kids and adults who have dyslexia. Learning the signs of dyslexia, and especially these common signs, can help us identify it more easily when we observe it.
Certain signs and symptoms of dyslexia are common at specific ages. These dyslexia signs can occur at any age, but in the list below, they are provided in age groups in which they tend to be common. It is possible for a child or adult with dyslexia to have many, or only a few of the signs and symptoms listed below.
Preschool Signs of Dyslexia
- Difficulty rhyming words or learning song lyrics that rhyme.
- Mispronouncing words.
- Trouble remembering sequences, like when singing the alphabet.
- Difficulty naming familiar objects.
- Telling stories that are difficult to follow.
- Difficulty talking about an event in a logical sequence or order.
- Trouble remembering or following directions that include several steps.
Grades K-2 Signs of Dyslexia
- Difficulty learning letter names.
- Trouble learning the sounds that letters and letter combinations make.
- Difficulty spelling.
- Confusing letters that look similar, such as b, d, p and q.
- Trouble separating words into individual sounds.
- Difficulty putting sounds together to form words.
- Relying on pictures and context clues to read.
- Guessing at words.
- Difficulty reading simple words.
- Confusing letters that sound similar, such as p and b, f and v, or d and t.
- Substituting words while reading out loud, like saying “ship” when the word in the story is “boat”.
Grades 3-5 Signs of Dyslexia
- Poor reading accuracy while reading aloud.
- Not using punctuation while reading aloud (for example, not pausing at a period).
- Trouble sounding out new or unfamiliar words.
- Mixing up or skipping small words when reading aloud, such as “for”, “of”, “to”, etc.
- Difficult quickly recognizing common words (sometimes called sight words).
- Trouble answering questions or giving details about what was just read.
- Poor reading comprehension.
- Reversing letters while spelling.
- Poor spelling.
- Inconsistent spelling (alternating between spelling a word correctly and incorrectly).
- Avoiding reading.
- Becoming upset or frustrated while reading.
- The signs mentioned above for Grades K-2.
Grades 6-12 and Adult Signs of Dyslexia
- Reading slowly or with great effort.
- Trouble sounding out new or unfamiliar words.
- Difficulty spelling.
- Leaving out small words or parts of longer words when reading aloud.
- Needing a long time to complete reading assignments.
- Difficulty remembering to use punctuation.
- Searching for words.
- Substituting similar words for each other, like saying “exhausted” instead of “tired”.
- Comprehending more if text is read aloud.
- The signs mentioned above for Grades 3-5.
Dealing with these difficulties while reading and spelling can be tough on kids and adults with dyslexia. If they do not understand dyslexia or realize they have it, they may assume that their difficulties with reading and spelling are due to them not being “smart enough”. This is not true, and many kids and adults with dyslexia are highly intelligent.
Kids and adults with dyslexia may also feel like they are alone in their struggles, but in fact, dyslexia is a very common learning difference, with experts estimating that up to 20% of the population may have dyslexia.
Many kids and adults with dyslexia need extra help in learning to read and spell. A proven instructional method like Orton-Gillingham, or one of the methods in the Orton-Gillingham family, can help them achieve reading and spelling proficiency.
