Does My Child Have Dyslexia?
If your child is struggling with reading, writing, spelling, or numeracy, you may wonder if these difficulties are potential indicators of dyslexia.
Signs to Look Out For
Signs in Written Work
- Spelling: A child might spell 'cake' as 'caik' or ‘cayk’—this inconsistency can be an early indicator of dyslexia.
- Handwriting: Messy, untidy work with frequent crossings out; poorly formed letters and reversals.
- Letter Confusion: Difficulty distinguishing between similar-looking letters (e.g., b/d, p/q, n/u).
- Comparison: Poorly written work compared to oral abilities.
- Writing Speed: Slow writing speed.
Signs in Reading
- Letter Sounds: Difficulty learning letter names and sounds.
- Reading Errors: Reading slowly, making errors, missing or adding words.
- Blending: Challenges with blending letters together.
- Word Recognition: Fails to recognise unfamiliar words.
- Comprehension: No expression when reading and a poor understanding of the material.
- Main Ideas: Difficulty identifying key points in a passage.
Signs in Numeracy
- Place Value: Confusion with units, tens, and hundreds.
- Sequencing: Difficulty remembering sequences, such as tables, days of the week, or the alphabet.
- Symbol Confusion: Confused by mathematical symbols (e.g., + and ×).
- Time: Struggles with learning to tell the time, remembering dates, or understanding concepts like “yesterday” and “tomorrow.”
- Organisation: Poor timekeeping and personal organisational skills.
Skills
- Motor Skills: Poor motor skills affect speed, control, and accuracy when writing.
- Memory: Challenges with daily routines, self-organisation, and rote learning.
- Directionality: Confusion about left/right, up/down, or east/west.
- Hand Preference: Indeterminate hand preference.
- Inconsistency: Performs unevenly from day to day.
Behaviour
- Work Avoidance: Uses tactics like sharpening pencils or looking for books to avoid work.
- Distraction: Easily distracted and may appear "dreamy."
- Classroom Behaviour: Can be disruptive or withdrawn, or may act as the class clown.
- Fatigue: Excessively tired due to the concentration and effort required for learning.
Tutoring & Support Options
Tutoring & Support Options
Tutoring & Support Options
Personalised one-on-one and in-school tutoring options to fit around a busy schedule.
What Is Dyslexia?
Tutoring & Support Options
Tutoring & Support Options
Dyslexia is a learning difference, not a learning disability. Learn more about dyslexia and the key areas affected.
Dyslexia Associations
What Does a Learning Session Look Like?
What Does a Learning Session Look Like?
Find links to organizations offering support, information, and resources for dyslexia.
What Does a Learning Session Look Like?
What Does a Learning Session Look Like?
What Does a Learning Session Look Like?
Take a look at an example to see what an hour-long learning session looks like.