Early Signs of Dyslexia Every Parent Should Recognize
Your child is bright, curious, and creative, but reading feels like climbing a mountain every single day. If this sounds familiar, dyslexia may be worth exploring. It's the most common learning disability, affecting roughly 1 in 5 people. And the earlier it's identified, the better the outcomes.
Preschool & Kindergarten (Ages 3–6)
Early signs often show up in language development:
Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or recognizing rhyming words
Trouble learning the names of letters or the alphabet
Mispronouncing familiar words, such as saying "aminal" for "animal"
Struggles to learn to write their own name
Difficulty breaking words into syllables
Elementary School (Ages 6–12)
This is when reading challenges usually become most visible:
Reading slowly or with great effort
Frequently confusing letters that look similar, like b/d or p/q
Skipping small words or losing their place while reading
Difficulty sounding out new or unfamiliar words
Avoiding reading out loud — or avoiding reading altogether
Spelling the same word differently within one piece of writing
Older Kids & Teens
Reading is slow and exhausting, even when comprehension is strong
Avoids writing assignments or turns in very little written work
Struggles significantly with foreign language classes
Feels "dumb" despite clearly understanding concepts when discussed verbally
What Dyslexia Is NOT
Dyslexia is not a vision problem and is not caused by laziness or lack of effort. Children with dyslexia are often highly intelligent. Their brains process written language differently, and they need structured literacy instruction to succeed.
What to Do Next in Indiana
You can request a free evaluation through your child's public school, or pursue a private psycho-educational evaluation through PEAS for Kids. Indiana schools are required to provide structured literacy instruction for identified students, but identification must come first. Early action changes everything.
📞 Think your child might have dyslexia? PEAS for Kids serves Indiana families with comprehensive evaluations. Start with a free consultation at www.peas4kids.com.
