Is It Dyslexia? Early Signs Every Parent Should Know

What This Article Covers:

This article explores the early signs of dyslexia across different ages, the different dyslexia symptoms by age, how it can affect learning, and when to seek help from your GP.

Worried About Your Child’s Learning? Start Here

Between the morning school run and the weekend sport, it’s easy to overlook the subtle differences in your child’s learning process and development. You know your kid is bright and intelligent, but lately, he/she seems to have hit an invisible wall regarding learning letters. These are possibly early signs of dyslexia, but you might think it’s just laziness or a phase they’ll grow out of, so you just keep trying. Yet despite all efforts, there’s hardly any improvement. Feeling disappointed and determined to work harder is a natural reaction, but will it truly help your child?

At GP Northbourne, we want to clear the air: It isn’t laziness. Dyslexia is a neurobiological condition where a child is fully capable of learning but finds it difficult to read and spell letters. It’s simply a different way the brain processes language. While it can cast ‘shadows’ over traditional school tasks, it also brings unique ‘strengths’ in creativity and problem-solving. Understanding what these dyslexia symptoms are telling us is the first step in supporting your child’s unique journey.

Early Signs of Dyslexia by Age

Dyslexia isn’t obvious; rather, it’s a subtle development that shadows your child’s growth stealthily. However, early signs of dyslexia become visible quickly, long before a child opens their first schoolbook. Here are the dyslexia symptoms by age, the subtle milestones in children that may suggest a different learning path:

➢  The Preschool Years:

For preschoolers, these signs can be a bit tricky to recognise. But as parents, you might notice a delay in speech or a persistent mix-up of sounds, especially in long or similar sounds (like saying “aminal” instead of “animal”). Your child might also struggle to identify sounds and rhymes in stories or picture books, making it tough to remember. These are some common signs of dyslexia in toddlers, which you should discuss with your GP for clarity.

➢  The Early School Years:

Early school years are when most children face the ‘reading wall’. Simply put, you might notice reading difficulties in children that might suggest dyslexia. Struggling to connect sounds to letters, or finding it very tough to understand word phonetics and pronunciations, is a strong sign. They might guess words based on pictures instead of reading them, or get very frustrated when trying to read at home.

➢  The Hidden “Shadows”:

Beyond reading, dyslexia can also affect how a child’s mind works. They might struggle to remember a sequence of instructions or recall things in order, like the days of the week.

So, you can easily spot dyslexia symptoms in kids if you know what to look for. These symptoms can sometimes cast a shadow on the child’s development, and left untreated, can also manifest as dyslexia symptoms in adults and affect their lives. Identifying them can help you find alternative paths to navigate their education.

Shadows and Strengths: The Full Picture

Don’t be discouraged by dyslexia symptoms. Dyslexic children are just different in their learning abilities. But for every shadow dyslexia casts, there is often a corresponding strength. They’re often very creative, out-of-the-box thinkers with excellent hands-on problem-solving and visual-spatial skills. They can look at the ‘big picture’, solve complex puzzles quickly, build complex 3D block structures without instructions (showing exceptional 3D thinking skills), or tell vivid, imaginative stories. They often thrive in fields requiring innovation, such as art, design, architecture, entrepreneurship, technology, and engineering.

Navigating the Next Steps Together

Spotting early signs of dyslexia can make it easier to provide the child with the right care and guidance. It can help them develop effective strategies to reach their full potential. So, if you notice any of these symptoms at home, talk to your GP and discuss the options available. They can help rule out physical factors like hearing or vision and provide referrals to specialists for a formal assessment.

At GP Northbourne, we understand that awareness is the key to good health. Whether you are looking for a formal assessment or a simple chat, we are here to help. Let’s work together to ensure your child’s future is defined by their strengths, not their struggles.