Watching your child struggle with reading can be overwhelming. You may find yourself wondering: Is this just a phase? Will they catch up? Could it be dyslexia?
The good news is, if your child is showing signs of dyslexia or persistent reading difficulties, there is so much you can do to help—and you are not alone!
At Dyslexia Superstars, we specialize in guiding families through this journey with research-backed expert intervention and personalized parent coaching. Whether your child is just beginning to show signs of reading difficulty or has been struggling for years, help is available.
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that affects the way the brain processes written words. It can impact reading fluency, spelling, writing, and even oral language skills. Dyslexia is not a sign of low intelligence or poor effort—rather, it’s a neurological difference that requires specialized, structured literacy intervention.
Many parents mistakenly believe that dyslexia is just about reversing letters, but it’s much more than that. Children with dyslexia struggle with decoding words, recognizing familiar words, and connecting letters to their sounds. Early intervention for dyslexia is critical to ensure your child gets the help they need.
Signs of Dyslexia to Watch For
Recognizing the signs of dyslexia early can make a world of difference in your child’s reading journey. While every child’s experience is unique, here are some common signs of dyslexia:
- Difficulty sounding out words, especially unfamiliar ones. Children with dyslexia often struggle with decoding words because they find it challenging to break down the sounds within words.
- Frequent spelling mistakes, even with simple or familiar words. They may spell the same word differently on the same page or omit letters altogether.
- Avoids reading or becomes frustrated when reading. Many children with dyslexia feel overwhelmed by the effort required to decode words, leading to avoidance or emotional outbursts.
- Trouble remembering sight words or common words, despite repeated practice. Difficulty with word retrieval can make even high-frequency words a challenge.
- Reads slowly, often with hesitation or frequent errors. They may rely on guessing from context rather than accurately decoding each word.
- Struggles with rhyming words or other phonemic awareness tasks. This may include difficulty identifying sounds within words, manipulating sounds, or recognizing words that rhyme.
- Difficulty learning letter-sound relationships. They may confuse similar-looking letters or be unable to recall the sounds associated with certain letters.
- A family history of reading difficulties. Dyslexia is often hereditary, so it’s worth considering whether other family members have faced similar challenges.
If you recognize several of these early signs of dyslexia, it’s time to take action.
Take a Free Dyslexia Screener
Knowledge is power. The first step toward helping your child is understanding their specific challenges. A quick, reliable dyslexia screener can offer valuable insights and guide you toward the right support.
- Take the Lexercise Free Dyslexia Screener: This simple, online tool helps determine whether your child shows characteristics of dyslexia. It’s a great starting point for gathering information.
- Review the Results: If the screener suggests possible dyslexia, don’t panic! This is the beginning of finding the right support for your child.
While a screener can’t provide a diagnosis, it can highlight areas of concern that merit further exploration. Taking action early can make all the difference in your child’s reading success.
Getting a Dyslexia Diagnosis: Professional Language Literacy Evaluation
If your child shows signs of dyslexia, the next step is to get a comprehensive Language Literacy Evaluation. This evaluation provides a thorough assessment of your child’s strengths and weaknesses in reading, writing, spelling, and language processing. Here are the best options:
- Request an Evaluation from Your Local Public School: Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), you have the right to request a free educational evaluation through your child’s school. This process can be slow, and schools may not always provide a formal dyslexia diagnosis, but it’s a useful starting point.
- Schedule a Private Dyslexia Evaluation: Many families choose private evaluations for a more comprehensive diagnosis.
- Make an appointment with your pediatrician to discuss your concerns and ask for a referral.
- Ask friends or local parent support groups—up to 20% of children have dyslexia, so you’re likely to find others who can share their experiences and recommendations.
- Consider an online dyslexia evaluation: As a certified Lexercise Therapist, I recommend the Lexercise online Language Literacy Evaluation. You’ll receive a detailed report (8-10 pages) with analysis, diagnosis if indicated, and customized recommendations.
Supporting Your Dyslexic Child at Home
- Identify Specific Needs: Pinpoint which phonics skills your child struggles with through assessment or observation.
- Gather Appropriate Materials: Collect tools and resources that are aligned with your child’s specific needs, such as decodable books, phonics games, or educational apps. Providing the right materials makes targeted practice more effective.
- Provide Consistent Practice: Short, daily practice sessions are far more effective than infrequent, long sessions.
- Encourage a Growth Mindset: Remind your child that learning to read is a journey, and they CAN make progress with the right tools and support.
- Celebrate Progress: Every achievement matters—big or small!
The Importance of Structured Literacy Therapy for Dyslexia
Tutoring or extra practice at home is often not enough to help a child with dyslexia overcome their struggles. They need instruction that is rooted in Structured Literacy—a science-backed approach that rewires the brain for reading and spelling success.
At Dyslexia Superstars, we offer Lexercise Professional Therapy, which provides:
- Gold-standard Orton-Gillingham approach
- Explicit, structured, multisensory instruction
- Tailored reading, spelling, and writing strategies for dyslexic learners
- Personalized Practice Games for near-daily practice between sessions
- Parent Coaching & Shared Parent Activities to ensure you feel confident supporting your child at home
Get the Right Support for Your Dyslexic Child
If your child is struggling to read, the sooner you take action, the better. Dyslexia is not a reflection of your child’s intelligence—it simply means they need the right kind of instruction.
Schedule a free consultation with Dyslexia Superstars today, and let’s create a personalized plan to unlock your child’s reading potential.
You’ve got this—and we’ve got your back!
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