Early Signs of Dyslexia

Early Signs of Dyslexia: A Literacy Coach's Perspective

Hi again, parents! It’s Sarah Walters here, and today I want to talk about some of the early signs of dyslexia. Understanding these early signs is critical because the earlier we can identify dyslexia, the sooner we can put effective interventions in place. This post is rooted in the science of reading, incorporating insights from Sally Shaywitz, a leading expert in dyslexia, as well as my experience using IMSE's Orton-Gillingham-based structured literacy approach. My goal is to empower you with the information you need to help your child succeed and to feel confident in recognizing these early indicators.

Understanding these early signs is critical because the earlier we can identify dyslexia, the sooner we can put effective interventions in place.

Recognizing Early Warning Signs

Dyslexia is often identified when children struggle to learn to read, but there are subtle signs that can show up even before a child starts school. According to Dr. Sally Shaywitz, author of Overcoming Dyslexia, dyslexia affects the phonological component of language—meaning it impacts a child's ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in words. Here are some early signs to watch for:

1. Delayed Speech Development: Many children with dyslexia have delayed language milestones. They may start speaking later than their peers or struggle to articulate certain words clearly. This doesn’t mean every child who has a speech delay will have dyslexia, but it’s a common early indicator. Children with dyslexia often need more time to learn new words, and they may mix up sounds in longer words, which can affect how they communicate and interact with others.
2. Difficulty with Rhyming: Rhyming is one of the earliest ways that children play with language. If your child struggles with recognizing rhymes or creating rhyming words, it may be an early red flag. This difficulty is tied to challenges with phonological awareness—a foundational skill that structured literacy approaches, like IMSE’s Orton-Gillingham, work to strengthen. Rhyming helps children develop an understanding of how words are made up of different sounds, and difficulties in this area can signal challenges with future reading skills.
3. Trouble Learning the Alphabet: Children with dyslexia often have difficulty learning and remembering the names of letters, especially associating the correct sounds with those letters. This is because dyslexia makes it challenging to connect phonemes (sounds) to graphemes (letters). You may notice that your child struggles to recall letter names or has trouble matching letters to their corresponding sounds. This disconnect can make learning to read an uphill battle, and early support is crucial in bridging these gaps.
4. Struggles with Pronunciation and Word Retrieval: If your child consistently mispronounces words or has trouble finding the right word to express themselves (often saying things like “the thing you sit on” instead of “chair”), this can be an early sign of dyslexia. This is known as word retrieval difficulty and often points to challenges with language processing. Word retrieval issues can also manifest as frequent pauses or fillers like “um” and “uh,” indicating that the child knows what they want to say but struggles to retrieve the specific word.
5. Difficulty Following Directions: Dyslexia can also impact working memory—the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind. If your child has trouble remembering sequences, like multi-step directions, it could be an indication that they’re struggling with underlying language processing difficulties. For example, if your child has difficulty following directions like “put your shoes in the closet and then wash your hands,” it might be a sign that they are struggling to retain and process information in the correct order.
6. Challenges with Learning Nursery Rhymes or Songs: Children with dyslexia may struggle with remembering the words to nursery rhymes or songs. This is because these activities rely heavily on phonological memory and the ability to recognize patterns in sounds. If your child shows little interest in or has difficulty learning songs and rhymes that other children enjoy, it might be worth investigating further.

The Science Behind Early Signs

The science of reading tells us that phonemic awareness is one of the strongest predictors of future reading success. Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words, and children with dyslexia often struggle with this skill. Dr. Shaywitz’s research emphasizes that children with dyslexia have a harder time forming these connections, which makes early identification and intervention so crucial. Early intervention can help children develop these skills before they fall behind their peers.

When I use IMSE's Orton-Gillingham-based approach, I focus heavily on building phonemic awareness skills in young children, using a multisensory method to engage multiple pathways in the brain. By incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile activities, we give children more opportunities to make those critical sound-letter connections. This can include activities like using sandpaper letters to trace while saying the sound, clapping out syllables, or even using physical movement to represent different sounds. Engaging multiple senses helps create stronger neural connections, which is especially helpful for children with dyslexia.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Another excellent resource for parents is the guide provided by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). The IDA offers a comprehensive Parent’s Guide that can help you better understand dyslexia and the steps you can take to support your child. The guide covers early signs, effective interventions, and how to work with your child’s school. You can access the IDA Parent’s Guide here.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of early intervention. The earlier we can identify dyslexia, the more effectively we can help children develop the skills they need. The window for building foundational reading skills is most open in the early elementary years, which is why recognizing these signs and acting quickly is so important. During these early years, the brain is more adaptable, making it easier to build new neural pathways and strengthen existing ones.

Dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence—it’s simply a different way of processing language. With the right intervention, your child can learn to read and thrive

If you notice some of these early warning signs in your child, I encourage you to talk to your child’s teacher or a literacy specialist. Assessments that focus on phonemic awareness and other pre-reading skills can provide valuable information about whether your child may need extra support. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek further evaluation if you feel it’s necessary—early action can make all the difference in helping your child gain confidence and skills in reading.

Conclusion

The early signs of dyslexia can be easy to miss, but as parents, you know your child better than anyone. Trust your instincts, and if something doesn’t feel right, reach out for help. Dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence—it’s simply a different way of processing language. With the right intervention, your child can learn to read and thrive. The key is being proactive, informed, and supportive. Recognizing these early warning signs can open the door to early support, which can change the entire trajectory of your child’s education.