Signs of Dyslexia in Primary School Children

Published 2026-03-27

If your child is struggling with reading or spelling in a way that doesn't match their obvious intelligence, you may be wondering about dyslexia. Here are the common signs by age, and what to do next.

What Is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that mainly affects reading and spelling. It has nothing to do with intelligence — many dyslexic children are bright and articulate, which is exactly why the struggle with words can be so puzzling and frustrating for them.

Common Signs by Age

Reception and Year 1

Difficulty learning letter sounds, trouble with rhyme, muddling the order of sounds in words, and slower-than-expected progress with early reading despite good spoken language.

Years 2 to 4

Reading that's slow and effortful, frequent spelling errors (often phonetic, like rite for right), reluctance to read aloud, and losing their place on the page.

Years 5 and 6

Avoiding reading and writing, tiring quickly during written work, strong ideas verbally that don't make it onto paper, and ongoing spelling difficulties.

It's Not Just About Reading

Dyslexia can also show up as difficulty with times tables and sequences, trouble remembering instructions, and disorganisation. Many children also show real strengths — creativity, problem-solving, big-picture thinking.

What to Do If You Suspect Dyslexia

Start by talking to your child's teacher and the school SENCO. They can put support in place and advise on formal assessment. A diagnosis isn't essential for support to begin — good teaching strategies help all struggling readers.

Supporting a Dyslexic Child at Home

Multisensory, low-pressure, rewarding practice works best. Our guide to spelling practice for dyslexia and our learning app built for dyslexic and ADHD learners both go deeper. Above all, protect their confidence — dyslexic children often work twice as hard for the same result, and encouragement matters enormously.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the early signs of dyslexia?

Early signs include difficulty learning letter sounds, trouble with rhyme, muddling sounds in words, slow effortful reading, frequent phonetic spelling errors, and reluctance to read aloud — often despite strong spoken language.

Does dyslexia affect intelligence?

No. Dyslexia is a specific difficulty with reading and spelling and has nothing to do with intelligence. Many dyslexic children are bright and articulate.

What should I do if I think my child is dyslexic?

Talk to your child's teacher and the school SENCO, who can arrange support and advise on assessment. Support can begin before any formal diagnosis.

How can I help a dyslexic child at home?

Use multisensory, low-pressure, rewarding practice, protect their confidence, and focus on their strengths. Short regular sessions work better than long ones.