Signs of Dyslexia in Children and the Benefits of Universal Screening

Many people mistakenly believe that dyslexia is a condition associated with troubled children and struggling students. The reality, however, is that around one in five people is affected by dyslexia, making it one of the most common learning disabilities. Due in part to its prevalence, dyslexia has been the subject of an enormous body of research, resulting in strategies to help children and adults succeed in school and adulthood. The first and most important step to receiving the necessary support is getting a diagnosis, so it is crucial to be aware of early signs of dyslexia and to promote universal screening. 

What Is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disability, also called a “reading disorder” or “learning difference,” that interferes with an individual’s ability to decode linguistic meanings and sounds of written language. Symptoms can vary widely, but dyslexia is, at its core, a condition under the umbrella of neurodiversity. 

Signs of Dyslexia by Age Group

Dyslexia can manifest in many different ways. Some children with the disorder unknowingly develop workarounds and compensation techniques that can make it more difficult to spot the condition as they get older. Knowing the common signs in each age group is crucial to early intervention. 

Preschoolers

Even before children learn how to read, certain behaviors can be a tip-off of potential dyslexia, such as:

• Having speech delays (learning to speak later than average)
• Being slow to learn the alphabet
• Experiencing difficulty learning the words to nursery rhymes and recognizing rhyme patterns
• Mispronouncing common words

Grade-Schoolers

Children with dyslexia will typically have a hard time learning how to read. In grade school, specific signs might include:

• Poor reading comprehension
• Difficulty remembering and identifying letters
• Unusually messy handwriting
• Being reluctant to go to school

High Schoolers

While dyslexia is typically diagnosed in elementary school, many children will go undiagnosed. In the United States, an estimated one in 20 people with dyslexia acquire a diagnosis. Signs to look for in adolescents and young adults are:

• Poor spelling
• Seeming lack of attention
• Smaller than average vocabulary, often indicated by using vague words
• Difficulty remembering names

Benefits of Universal Screening

Without proper intervention and support, children with dyslexia almost inevitably begin to struggle in school. Once a student falls behind, it’s a slippery slope to failing out of academics entirely. Because the symptoms of dyslexia vary so widely, it is almost impossible to catch every case in young children just by observation from parents and teachers due to widespread misinformation about the disorder. Undiagnosed dyslexia causes not only academic struggles but also a variety of social and emotional difficulties that can last a lifetime.

That’s why it is critical to implement universal screening and replace subjective observation with objective, science-based evaluation. Universal screening can reroute children with learning differences into more supportive academic environments. Other benefits include:

• A more equitable classroom
• Less stigma around learning differences and accommodations
• An educational opportunity for neurotypical students to learn more about different learning styles of their peers

Every parent and teacher wants the best for their kids. Learn more about Tests of Dyslexia (TOD™) at WPS.