As a parent, it can be hard to watch your child struggle in school, especially when it comes to reading, an essential skill for academic and life success. Dyslexia is one of the most common reasons children have difficulty learning to read, yet many families are unsure what it really means or how to help.

Dyslexia does not mean a child is less intelligent. It is simply a different way of processing language. With the right kind of teaching and support, children with dyslexia can learn to read and can thrive in school, college, and beyond. The book Overcoming Dyslexia, Second Edition by Dr. Sally Shaywitz and Dr. Jonathan Shaywitz highlights the most important information parents need to understand dyslexia and to advocate for their child’s success.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that affects reading. It is rooted in difficulty identifying and working with the sounds in words, which makes it harder to connect letters to those sounds. This disrupts the process of recognizing words quickly and accurately, which in turn affects reading fluency and spelling.

Because there is a lot of misinformation about dyslexia, it is important to understand what dyslexia is not. It is not a problem with vision, and children with dyslexia do not see letters “backwards.” It is not caused by lack of effort or poor teaching. Most importantly, dyslexia is not linked to low intelligence. In fact, children with dyslexia often have average or above-average abilities in thinking, reasoning, and creativity.

Researchers describe dyslexia as an unexpected difficulty in reading. A child may be bright and capable in many areas, yet reading remains slow and effortful compared to peers. Recognizing dyslexia in this way helps shift the focus from what a child struggles with to what kind of teaching can unlock their potential.

Signs and Symptoms Across Ages

Dyslexia looks different at different stages of development. Knowing the early warning signs can help parents act sooner.

Preschool and early years:

Speech may develop more slowly than expected
Difficulty pronouncing long or unfamiliar words
Trouble learning nursery rhymes or songs
Difficulty recognizing rhymes or playing with sounds in words
Struggles with learning the alphabet

**Elementary school years:**

Speech may develop more slowly than expected
Difficulty pronouncing long or unfamiliar words
Trouble learning nursery rhymes or songs
Difficulty recognizing rhymes or playing with sounds in words
Struggles with learning the alphabet

Adolescents and adults:

Reading remains slow, even though comprehension of spoken material is excellent
Preference for listening over reading
Difficulty with foreign language learning
Strong reliance on context clues rather than quickly recognizing words
Avoidance of reading out loud in groups

Alongside these challenges, many children and adults with dyslexia show clear strengths. They often excel in reasoning, problem-solving, and creative or innovative thinking. Recognizing and encouraging these strengths helps balance the challenges and builds self-confidence.

Why Early Identification Matters

Early identification is one of the most important factors in helping children with dyslexia succeed. Research shows that waiting to see if a child “catches up” on their own is rarely effective. Children with dyslexia need explicit support to learn to read. Without it, they may fall further behind each year.

The brain is especially flexible in the early years of life. This “plasticity” means young children can develop new reading pathways more easily. Early intervention makes the biggest difference, but older children and even adults can still benefit from effective teaching.

Delaying help can have consequences beyond reading. A child who struggles year after year may begin to feel less capable, even when they are just as intelligent as their classmates. Identifying dyslexia early helps protect a child’s confidence as well as their academic progress.

The Science of Dyslexia

Scientists have learned a great deal about dyslexia through brain research. Reading is not a natural skill like speaking. Human brains are wired for spoken language, but reading has to be taught. To read, the brain must connect written symbols on a page to spoken sounds and then link those sounds to meaning.

In children with dyslexia, the networks in the brain that handle these connections do not function as efficiently. Brain imaging studies show that children with dyslexia use different patterns of activation when reading compared to typical readers. This explains why reading feels slow and effortful.

The hopeful message is that the brain is adaptable. With structured, phonics-based instruction, children with dyslexia can activate new pathways that make reading more accurate and fluent. The science shows not only why children struggle, but also why effective intervention works.

Assessment and Diagnosis

A formal evaluation for dyslexia is the first step toward getting the right support. Comprehensive testing looks at many aspects of reading and language, including:

Phonological awareness, or how well a child can identify and manipulate the sounds in words
Decoding skills, or the ability to sound out new words
Reading fluency, or how quickly and smoothly a child reads connected text
Reading comprehension, or understanding and remembering what has been read
Spelling and written expression

Testing often includes information about a child’s family history, since dyslexia tends to run in families. Teachers’ observations about reading progress are also important.

Parents should know that a diagnosis is not about putting a label on a child. Instead, it is about understanding how a child learns best. The evaluation results guide what kind of instruction and support will help a child make progress.

Effective Interventions

The most effective treatment for dyslexia is structured, systematic, and phonics-based reading instruction. This kind of teaching breaks reading down into small steps and teaches the relationships between letters and sounds in a clear and direct way.

Instruction should be:

**Explicit:** skills are taught directly, not left for the child to figure out
**Systematic:** lessons follow a logical sequence that builds step by step
**Multisensory:** children use sight, sound, and movement together to strengthen learning
**Frequent and intensive:** children need plenty of practice and support to make progress

When instruction is consistent and delivered by trained educators, children with dyslexia can learn to read successfully. Progress may be slower than in children without dyslexia, but the growth is steady and meaningful.

School Supports and Accommodations

Children with dyslexia may need specialized instruction and/or accommodations at school. If needed, parents can work with school professionals to create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan that outlines these supports.

Examples of helpful accommodations include:

Extra time on tests and assignments, so reading speed does not affect performance
Access to audiobooks or text-to-speech technology so a child can learn through listening as well as reading
Reduced reading load when appropriate, allowing more time for quality over quantity
Alternatives to written tests, such as oral presentations or projects, to show knowledge

These supports do not make the work easier. They give children a fair opportunity to demonstrate what they know without being limited by reading speed.

Beyond Reading: Emotional and Social Impact

Dyslexia affects more than reading. A child who struggles in class may begin to feel embarrassed, frustrated, or less intelligent. Without support, these feelings can lead to anxiety, depression, and/or loss of confidence.

Parents can help by creating an environment where effort is celebrated, not just results. Remind your child that reading is only one part of who they are. Encourage them in activities where they shine, whether in sports, art, music, building, or problem-solving.

Stories of successful people with dyslexia can also be inspiring. Many leaders, scientists, inventors, and artists struggled with reading but went on to achieve remarkable accomplishments. These examples help children see that dyslexia is not a barrier to success.

Dyslexia Across the Lifespan

Dyslexia does not go away in adulthood. Reading may remain slower, but with strategies and support, adults with dyslexia can thrive. Many choose careers that highlight their strengths, such as big-picture thinking, innovation, and creativity.

In high school, college, and the workplace, self-advocacy becomes key. Adults with dyslexia may request accommodations like extra time on exams, access to technology, or alternative ways to demonstrate learning. These strategies level the playing field and allow individuals to focus on their abilities rather than their challenges.

What Parents Can Do

Parents play a central role in helping their child with dyslexia succeed. Some key steps include:

Trust your instincts. If you notice signs of dyslexia, seek an evaluation rather than waiting.
Advocate for evidence-based teaching. Ensure your child receives structured, phonics-based instruction.
Work with the school. Partner with teachers and specialists to create a plan that includes the right interventions and supports.
Encourage strengths. Support your child’s interests outside of reading and celebrate their talents.
Build confidence. Focus on effort, progress, and resilience rather than perfection.

Most importantly, remind your child that dyslexia is only one part of who they are. With support, persistence, and encouragement, they can achieve their goals.

Dyslexia is a lifelong difference, but it is not a limitation. It simply means the brain learns to read in a different way. With early recognition, structured teaching, and strong family and school support, children with dyslexia can become skilled readers and confident learners. Reading may take more effort, but dyslexia does not define intelligence or potential. Your child’s future is full of possibilities. With the right help, they can overcome the challenges of dyslexia and thrive in every part of life.

Resource

Shaywitz, S., & Shaywitz, J. (2020). Overcoming dyslexia (2nd ed.). Knopf.

Understanding and Overcoming Dyslexia: A Parent’s Guide