Posted October 21, 2025 in Articles
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month! Did you know that dyslexia, a common learning difference that impacts language processing, affects approximately one in five people? If you've been wondering why reading or spelling is a constant struggle for your child, you're not alone. Recognizing the signs early is the crucial first step toward getting children the right support—support that helps them learn the way they're truly wired.
Understanding the Signals: Signs of Dyslexia by Age
Signs of Dyslexia: Ages 2-4
- Difficulty pronouncing words
- Uses general terms to describe specific objects and/or adds new vocabulary slowly
- Trouble with the alphabet and letter sounds
- Difficulty recalling song lyrics, days of the week, colors, numbers, or shapes
- Struggles to write their name
- Problems following multi-step directions
- Slow development of fine motor skills
- Retells events out of order
Signs of Dyslexia: Ages 5-8
- Loves to listen to stories, but avoids reading on their own
- Difficulty learning letters and recalling their sounds
- Substitutes words when reading, and often relies on accompanying pictures
- Difficulty separating or blending sounds, as well as identifying words that rhyme
- Frequent errors including reversing, inverting, and substituting letters/words
- Confuses sight words: at, to, said, and, the, etc.
- Pencil grip is awkward, fist-like, or tight
- Poor fine motor skills and coordination
Signs of Dyslexia: Ages 9-12
- Reading is laborious with long pauses and repetitions
- Reverses letter sequences: soiled for solid, left for felt
- Skips over words when reading out loud
- Difficulty sounding out new words
- Trouble describing what they read or answering questions about it
- Slow to discern prefixes, suffixes, and root words
- Struggles with spelling; spells the same word differently on a single page
- Illegible handwriting
- Difficulty with planning and time management
Signs of Dyslexia: Ages 13+
- Reads slowly and/or robotically; doesn’t pause appropriately for punctuation
- Reads word-by-word rather than grouping words/phrases together smoothly
- Trouble summarizing what they’ve read or answering questions about it
- Often spells the same word differently within the same body of writing
- Procrastinates reading/writing tasks
- Finds school exhausting
- Many missing or incomplete assignments
- May not have difficulty in math, but struggles with word problems
- Trouble learning a foreign language
The Path to Confidence Starts Here
Ready to take the next step? Find a research-based learning environment that matches how your child is wired.
At Lawrence School, we specialize in helping students with dyslexia reach their full potential. Our approach uses proven methods like multisensory instruction to systematically teach the rules of language in an explicit, step-by-step process.
Our experienced team of licensed psychologists and educators can provide the personalized support your child needs to overcome challenges and thrive academically.
Take the next step today:
- Schedule a Visit: Learn how Lawrence can make a positive difference in your child's life.
- Get Answers: Connect with our Schafer Center for Learning Differences to discuss an evaluation or support services.