Short answer: Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that mainly affects reading, writing and spelling, and sometimes memory, organising and numbers. It doesn't affect intelligence. Signs vary with age — from trouble with rhymes and letter names in preschoolers to slow reading and inconsistent spelling at school. Start by talking to your child's teacher and, in the UK, the school's SENCO, who can arrange screening and extra support. A full assessment is usually done by an educational psychologist or specialist teacher. At home, keep reading enjoyable and protect your child's confidence.
Your child understands everything you explain and tells wonderful stories. But that one word on the page still won't come after three attempts — even though they read it yesterday.
What dyslexia is
The NHS describes dyslexia as a common learning difficulty where the brain works differently, mainly affecting reading, writing and using numbers. It can also affect understanding and remembering information, planning and organising. It doesn't affect intelligence, and it often runs in families.
Dyslexia says nothing about how clever your child is. It's about one particular way the brain handles written language.
Signs at different ages
Preschool
- difficulty learning rhymes and nursery rhymes;
- mixing up the sounds in words more than other children;
- difficulty learning letter names or the letters in their own name;
- dyslexia in close family.
Early school years
- slow progress with reading and spelling compared with other skills;
- guessing words from the first letter or a picture;
- spelling the same word in different ways on one page;
- confusing letters that look similar for longer than classmates;
- avoiding reading, or tummy aches on reading days.
Older children
- reading that stays slow and effortful, even when accuracy improves;
- written work that doesn't reflect what they can explain out loud;
- difficulty with note-taking, planning, or learning a foreign language;
- tiredness after reading and writing.
Getting support (UK example)
- Talk to the teacher and the SENCO. The SENCO can arrange a dyslexia screening test at school and put extra support in place.
- See your GP if needed. A GP can't diagnose dyslexia, but can check for other things that affect learning, such as hearing or sight problems.
- Consider a full assessment if your child is still struggling despite extra support. This is usually done by an educational psychologist or a specialist teacher; schools can sometimes help arrange it, but most families pay for it themselves.
- Ask about adjustments, such as extra time, reading software, coloured overlays if helpful, or using a laptop.
In other countries the route differs; start with your child's teacher and ask what support and assessment are available.
What helps at home
- Keep reading aloud to your child, even after they can read themselves. It builds vocabulary and keeps stories enjoyable.
- Audiobooks aren't cheating. They keep the love of stories alive.
- Short, frequent practice — a few minutes a day beats a long session once a week.
- Let them read what they love: comics, magazines, instructions. It all counts.
- Protect their confidence. Make sure there's something they're good at — sport, music, building, drawing — and notice it.
- Talk about it openly. Many children are relieved to hear there's a reason reading is hard, and that it isn't their fault.
When to seek help sooner
If your child is becoming very anxious about school, avoiding it, or talking negatively about themselves, talk to the school and your GP. Emotional support matters as much as reading support.
Related reading
Building confidence that lasts: Confidence for Life (PDF, English) is about raising a child who dares to try and believes in themselves.
Sources
- NHS — Dyslexia in children.
- British Dyslexia Association — What is dyslexia?
Written by the Bloom Guides editorial team. Last updated: 20 October 2026. General information only — not a substitute for assessment by a qualified professional.