Normal Child Development or Signs of Dyslexia

Parenting is filled with both beautiful moments and real challenges, especially in the early school years. My daughter’s development seemed right on track as a young student, and then I remember noticing her struggling from 3rd through 6th grade. I grappled to figure out the source of her struggles. Nothing seemed to point to the cause, which had me bewildered. I couldn’t determine what was going on, so I didn't have concrete plans to help her or places to turn for help.

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Small Signs of Struggles

You may be experiencing the same thing I did. If your child is PreK-3rd grade, they may seem bright, happy, and developing right alongside their peers. Nothing feels particularly concerning. But then small things begin to catch your attention.

Maybe in Pre-K through first grade, they struggle with rhyming. Perhaps they reverse a few letters when writing. Their handwriting might look less developed than that of other children in the class. When spelling lists come home, they may pass the weekly test, but still consistently misspell simple, common words in everyday writing.

You bring your concerns to the teacher and hear a familiar reassurance: “Don’t worry, every child develops at their own pace.”

So you do what loving parents do. You encourage. You support. You worry.

But over time, something shifts.

Your child begins to push back. School suddenly feels hard. Complaints increase. Some mornings, they don’t want to go at all. And quietly, a question begins to grow in your heart:

Is this just normal development… or could something more be going on?

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A Quick Look at Signs your Child may have Dyslexia:

Preschool through First Grade:

1. Delayed speech

2. Mixing up sounds and syllables in long words

3. Constant confusion of left vs. right

4. Late in establishing a dominant hand

5. Struggles with rhyming

6. Difficulty learning and remembering letter names

7. Has a close relative with dyslexia

Elementary 2nd through 6th grade:

1. Does not associate letters with sounds

2. Letter/number reversals past 1st grade

3. Struggles with spelling, sight words, and homonyms

4. Slow, choppy reading, guesses at words, reading is slow and awkward

5. Struggles to find the right word- uses replacement words: “thingys.”

6. Struggles with memorizing math facts

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What to do if there are Signs:

If you recognize three or more of these signs in your child, it is wise to consider starting with a screening, followed by formal testing if recommended. Earlier identification can make a meaningful difference in both learning progress and emotional well-being.

I often wish I had this information when my own child was growing up. For many children (and adults), discovering they have dyslexia brings an unexpected sense of relief. It provides the missing puzzle piece, the explanation for why learning has felt so hard. It opens the door to the right support at the right time, especially since dyslexia is not related to intelligence.

Clarity changes everything. The earlier it arrives, the more confidently your child can move forward.

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References

Barton, S. (2025). Bright Solutions for Dyslexia. https://dys-add.com.

Shaywitz, S. (2003). Overcoming Dyslexia.The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity.

https://dyslexia.yale.edu/dyslexia/signs-of-dyslexia/